Phytochemical Profiling of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult and its Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotection Linked Enzyme Inhibitory Properties

Introduction: Exponential expansion in the usage of herbal medicines was observed in recent decades due to the increasing importance of the traditionally used natural remedies. In order to identify bioactive components of medicinal value, in the present study, we aimed to screen different extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult for health beneficial effect by exploring its biological properties and phytochemical profile. Methods: By using sequential extraction method, H. indicus roots were extracted with various solvents based on low to high polarity. Subsequently, quantitative phytochemical profiling, antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities were tested by using standard protocols. The MTT assay was carried out in SHSY-5Y cell lines to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect. Results: Methanol extract displayed highest phytochemical content with high concentration of terpenoid (59.82±0.97 mg LE/g of extract) and saponin (15.03±0.45 mg DE/g of extract). All the extracts exhibited concentration dependent pharmacological activities. In comparison, methanol extract produced highest activities with IC₅₀ of 15.21±0.31 and 11.36±0.39 μg/ml against NO and DPPH radical scavenging assays respectively. Also, methanol extract showed maximum inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀=17.46±0.49 μg/ml) and butyrylcholinesterase (IC₅₀=31.05±0.39 μg/ml), however, aqueous extract displayed highest potency against monoamine oxidase-B inhibition (IC₅₀=24.60±0.45 μg/ml). At 12.5-100 μg/mL concentrations, methanol and aqueous extracts did not show any cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells and dose dependently suppressed TNF-α and IL-6 production. Conclusion: Collectively, H. indicus could act as a disease modifying therapeutic in pharmaceutical industries by utilizing it as alternative therapy for the management of oxidative stress and its related disorders.