Study of Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Analgesic Properties of the Stem of Helicteres isora Linn

Abstract

Helicteres isora Linn., often referred to as the Indian screw tree, goes by the names Atmora or Rajot in Bangladesh. A genus of flowering plants in the Malvaceae family is called Helicteres (shrub). According to reports, extracts from fruits, roots, and bark have anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, anti-dysenteric, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties. To the best of our knowledge no attempts have been made for finding out therapeutic potentials of the stem part of this plant. From preliminary phytochemical screening we noticed the presence of different phytochemical constituents including the Alkaloids, glycoside, flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins, fats & fixed oils. Where Alkaloids and fats & oils were moderately present. But steroids, saponins and Triterpenoids were absent in methanolic extract of Helicteres isora stem. The results of the present study provide scientific basis for the use of Helicteres isora in traditional medicine in the treatment of aforementioned diseases. Furthermore, some new pharmacological effects of the plant have been revealed. It is thus important that extensive phytochemical and pharmacological studies should be carried out on the basis of the results of the current study to eventually find bioactive compounds as new lead compounds.