Abstract
IntroductionDioscorea hispida Dennst. is a perennial herb, found in Bangladesh, and is traditionally used for the treatment of arthritis, ulcer and skin infections. In this study, the antioxidant, anti-microbial, thrombolytic and membrane stabilization activities of methanol extract of the plant and its aqueous (AQSF), petroleum ether (PETSF), dichloromethane (DCMSF) and carbon tetrachloride (CTCSF) soluble fractions were investigated with respect to its medicinal implications in traditional systems. MethodsAntioxidant activity of the plant fractions was investigated in the terms of their total phenolic content and free radical scavenging effect. Their anti-microbial assay was carried out against a total of twelve bacterial and three fungal pathogens. Thrombolytic activity was verified by the means of human blood clot lysis and membrane stabilization effect was determined against heat- and hypotonic solution-induced erythrocyte membrane lysis. ResultsThe CTCSF of the plant was found to have a substantial phenolic content, strong free radical scavenging and moderate antimicrobial effects which were at their maximum in the methanol extract and its aqueous, dichloromethane and petroleum ether fractions. The PETSF and CTCSF significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited heat- and hypotonic solution-induced erythrocyte membrane lysis, compared to crude extract and the standard drug, acetylsalicylic acid, respectively. The AQSF demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) thrombolytic activity compared with organic fractions of methanol extract of the plant. ConclusionThe investigation revealed bioactive extracts of D. hispida by the means of their antioxidant, anti-microbial, thrombolytic and membrane stabilization activities, which may significantly aid in the isolation of bioactive metabolites from the plant.
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