IN-VITRO STUDIES TO EXPLORE THE PHARMACOGNOSTIC, PHYSICOCHEMICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, TOXICITY AND HEPATOPROTECTIVITY OF SMILAX OVALIFOLIA ROOT

ABSTRACT

The primary aim of the present study was to explore the pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, toxicity and hepatoprotectivity of Smilax ovalifolia root. Standard procedures were implemented to assess the pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical parameters of Smilax ovalifolia root. Toxicity of Smilax ovalifolia root was assessed using MTT assay on BRL3A cell line. Hepatoprotectivity of Smilax ovalifolia root was assessed on paracetamol treated BRL3A cell line using MTT assay. Results of phytochemical screening have shown the presence of various phytochemicals including (a) Steroids and gums in petroleum ether extract, (b) Carbohydrates, steroids and flavonoids in chloroform extract, (c) Carbohydrates, tannins and phenolic compounds in methanol extract. Results of high performance liquid chromatographic analysis have shown the presence of several phytoconstituents including gallic acid and rutin. Results of toxicity study have shown that the root of Smilax ovalifolia was non-toxic to BRL3A cell line at the dose <1000 µg/mL. Results of hepatoprotectivity have shown that the root of Smilax ovalifolia has offered protection towards BRL3A cell line against paracetamol at a dose of 500 and 1000 µg/ml. The present study concludes that the root of Smilax ovalifolia is safe and offered substantial protection to the rat normal liver cell line against paracetamol toxicity. However, data gathered from the current study necessitate further validation using molecular level and in-vivo animal studies.

Key words: Smilax ovalifolia, Flavonoids, Hepatoprotective Activity, Hepatoprotectivity, Paracetamol Toxicity.