Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of modified resazurin microtiter plate assay of the roots of Trillium govanianum

Biochemical, Toxicological, and in Silico Aspects of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don (Trilliaceae): A Rich Source of Natural Bioactive Compounds

Trillium govanianum is a high-value medicinal herb, having multifunctional traditional and culinary uses. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, biological and toxicological parameters of the T. govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Family: Trilliaceae) roots collected from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Phytochemical profiling was achieved by determining total bioactive contents (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) and UHPLC-MS analysis. For biological evaluation, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation assays) and enzyme inhibition activities (against AChE, BChE, glucosidase, amylase, and tyrosinase) were performed. Moreover, cytotoxicity was assessed against three human carcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-231, CaSki, and DU-145). The tested extract was found to contain higher total phenolics (7.56 mg GAE/g dry extract) as compared to flavonoid contents (0.45 mg RE/g dry extract). Likewise, for the antioxidant activity, higher CUPRAC activity was noted with 39.84 mg TE/g dry extract values. In the case of enzyme assays, higher activity was pointed out against the cholinesterase, glucosidase and tyrosinase enzymes. The plant extract displayed significant cytotoxicity against the cell lines examined. Moreover, the in-silico studies highlighted the interaction between the important phytochemicals and tested enzymes. To conclude, the assessed biological activity and the existence of bioactive phytochemicals in the studied plant extract may pave the way for the development of novel pharmaceuticals.

Antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities of Trillium govanianum rhizomes extract: involvement of calcium channel blockade

The antidiarrheal effect of methanolic extract of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae) was studied at doses of 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg in different animal models of diarrhea including castor oil (6 mL/kg), magnesium sulfate (2 gm/kg), sodium picosulfate (2 mL/kg) and lactitol (0.25 mL/kg). The antispasmodic effect of T. govanianum was studied on isolated rabbit's jejunum, using acetylcholine as tissue stabiliser and verapamil as calcium channel blocker. T. govanianum attenuated the diarrhea by producing a significant decrease in the number and weight of stool, and an increase in stool latency time. T. govanianum completely inhibited both spontaneous as well as high potassium induced contractions of isolated rabbit's jejunum, which was analogous to verapamil. Moreover, T. govanianum produced a right shift in calcium concentration response curve, confirming its calcium channel blocking activity. These findings provide scientific ground to its medicinal use in diarrhea and gut spasms.