Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, and cytotoxic activities of Gynura nepalensis DC. and isolation of its steroid constituents

Abstract

The study was aimed at phytochemical profiling of Gynura nepalensis DC. as well as assessment of possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, and cytotoxic activities of its fractions named hexane (HSF), dichloromethane (DCMSF), ethyl acetate (EASF) and aqueous (AQSF) soluble fractions through in vitro assays. Chromatographic fractionation and purification followed by ¹H NMR spectral analysis afforded two sterols named β-sitosterol and stigmasterol, which appears to be a first-time reporting from the species. In the free radical scavenging assay, both DCMSF and EASF exhibited prominent antioxidant activities which was further reinforced by their comparatively greater phenolic content. In membrane stabilizing test, prominent inhibitions of hemolysis as exerted by EASF, AQSF, and DCMSF, were evident of their significant anti-inflammatory activities, compared to aspirin. With respect to streptokinase, HSF and DCMSF demonstrated moderate thrombolytic properties, whereas in the cytotoxicity study, only HSF illustrated prominent cytotoxic properties. In conclusion, the results are suggestive of the presence of bioactive molecules within the fractions capable of exerting potent pharmacological activities.