Phytopharmacological Evaluation of Nyctnthes arbor-tristis calyx with Special Reference to Metabolic Disorder and Cancer

Abstract

Parts of the plant- Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (NAT), Family Oleaceae are widely used in the traditional systems of Indian medicine. Ethanolic extract of NAT flower calyx (NATFCE) revealed presence of a bioactive compound named ‘Crocin’-a principle carotenoid also present in Crocus sativus (Saffron). Preliminary physico-chemical and phyto-chemical evaluation of NAT flower were performed followed by preparation of NAT flower calyx extract, detection, isolation and confirmation of crocin as well as standardization of NATFCE. The present investigation demonstrated a certain degree of toxicity in the hematological and serum biochemical parameters at concentration of ≥ 250 mg/kg body weight of NATFCE in 28-days sub-acute toxicity study using Wistar rats. Further, genotoxicity and modulatory effects of NATFCE and crocin using Salmonella assay (TA 98, TA 100 and TA 102) exhibited non-genotoxic nature of both the test compounds, in addition significant anti-genotoxicity was noted in the absence of metabolic activation-S9, while co-mutagenicity was recorded in its presence at the dose range of 125 μg to 2000 μg. NATFCE and crocin demonstrated significant anti-angiogenic activity when studied using in-vitro chick chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) assay and in-vivo matrigel matrix model of angiogenesis. The research work also included in-vivo evaluation of chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential of NATFCE flowers using Hamster cheek pouch model of oral cancer where it showed promising chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic ability in the dose-range of 250-, 500- and 750 mg/kg. The research was extended to evaluate anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic potential of NATFCE using standard in-vivo and/or in-vitro method, wherein promising observations were noted for both the activities at the doses of 40- and 80 mg/kg body weight. Anti-hyperglycemic potential of NATFCE could be due to upregulation of Nrf-2 in liver and down-regulation of DPP-4 in kidney. Furthermore, promising aldose-reductase inhibitory activity was demonstrated by NATFCE in an in-vitro assay system. In conclusion, NATFCE and/or crocin can be explored to emerge as a cost-effective, readily available naturally occurring bioactive agent. NAT flower calyx exhibited multiple pharmacological properties at varied concentrations under standard in-vitro/in-vivo model and is a potential candidate to undertake exploratory mechanistic studies followed by its clinical assessment.