Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Alocasia indica Tuber

Alocasia indica (Araceae) is traditionally used in the treatment of abdomen and spleen related disorders. The edible tuber part of the plant is a very common vegetable among Indian people though maximum focus of research was done with the non-edible leaf part of the plant. In this study, ethanolic and aqueous extract of A. indica tuber were prepared to evaluate in-vitro antioxidant potential, in-vivo hepatoprotective activity and GCMS analysis of the extract. In-vitro analyses such as phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity were done using standard spectrophotometric method and in-vivo antioxidant activity was evaluated by using carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic injuries in male Albino Wister rats. GCMS analysis was done by Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Biochemical analysis showed presence of various phytochemical compounds e.g. alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponin, tannins as well as SOD and catalase enzyme activity in both ethanolic and aqueous extract. Ethanolic extract showed higher phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity than aqueous extract. Ethanolic extract also have more potent antioxidant activity as evidenced by 2.5, 1.2, 1.13 and 1.42 fold lower IC50 were found in the extract than aqueous extract for DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide radical and superoxide radical scavenging activity respectively. GCMS analysis of ethanolic extract showed estra-1,3,5 (10)-trien-17- one, 3-hydroxy-6-methoxy, o-methyloxime as major component, which is phytosterol in nature. Ethanolic extract also showed potent hepatoprotective activity in in vivo study. The results indicated the potential use of strong antioxidant properties of A. indica tuber for therapeutic or pharmaceutical applications in future.

Author(s): Swagata Pal, Ankita Bhattacharjee, Sandip Mukherjee, Koushik Bhattacharya and Suman Khowala

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article