Anticancer and anti-inflammatory perspectives of Pakistan’s indigenous berry Grewia asiatica Linn (Phalsa)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Berries indigenously grown in Asia are known for their diversified nutritional and health promoting properties. Establishing a link between berry consumption and their classical uses in health management however requires detailed research in exploring varied biochemical factors and their therapeutic role in averting risks of chronic disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating anti-inflammatory and anticancer responses of fruit extracts of Grewia asiatica locally known as Phalsa. METHODS: Dichloromethane, methanol and 50% hydro-methanolic fractions of fruit were evaluated for polyphenols characterization, quantification and antioxidant assays. Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive responses of fruit extracts were evaluated in rats and mice models, respectively, and cytotoxic activities were measured against MCF-7, HeLa, HEp-2, NCI-H522, HEK-293 cancer cell cultures. RESULTS: Phenolics quantification and biological study data suggested 50% hydro-methanolic extracts as maximum carrier of flavonoids (7.92 mgQE/g), anthocyanins (8.1 mg/Kg) and tannins (187.2 mgGAE/g) that significantly (p < 0.05)resulted in higher oxidation inhibition (IC50 41.1 ug/ml), paw edema inhibition (68-74%) and pain mediation in neurogenic phase(31-62%) when administrated at the rate of 400 mg/kg b.w. Maximum cytotoxic activity of G. asiatica (50% hydromethanolic extracts) was observed against MCF-7 (IC50 34.9 ug/mL), HEp-2 (IC50 80.4 ug/mL) and NCI-H522 (IC50 73 ug/mL) cancer cell lines. LC-ESI-MS/MS characterization of hydro-alcoholic fractions bearing potent biological activities revealed Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Quinic acid, Calycosin, Vidalenolone, Quercetin, Myricetin, Liquitrigenin and 6-aldehydo-isoophiopogonone. Human equivalent doses of the extracts calculated on the basis of total phenolic contents for anti-inflammatory and nociceptive assays were in range between 6.2-15.8 mg/kg b.w., and 3.1-7.9 mg/kg b.w., respectively.

Grewia asiatica Berry Juice Diminishes Anxiety, Depression, and Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment in Behavioral Experimental Animal Models

“…In the current investigation, the 70% methanolic extract of different concentrations of G. asiatica (5, 10, 20, and 30%) was inquired through in vitro testing for the presence of phenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, and results revealed the presence of these constituents in the fruit of G. asiatica . The correlation of radical scavenging potential with these phytoconstituents was also confirmed through antioxidant assays, and results were following the previous claims ( 6 , 49 ), providing the hint that the fruit may prove beneficial in managing neurological sufferings ( 53 ).…”

“…In both DPPH and ABTS, the maximum percentage inhibition (>60%) was observed for 30% Gr.Ex , with P = 0.048 and P = 0.001, as compared to lower concentrations, respectively ( Figures 3A,B ). The outcomes of antioxidant assays found promising to the previously reported studies ( 6 , 49 ) explain that the fruit of G. asiatica was enriched with phytoconstituents that impart this oxidative stress-combating characteristics, which are very essential to deal with a range of diseases.…”

The Chemical Composition and Health-Promoting Effects of the Grewia Species—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…As shown in Table 1, a wide variety of extracts/solvents and techniques were reported in the literature. In detail, 25.2% of the compounds were extracted with methanol in six studies [14,[21][22][23][24][25], 47.8% with acidified methanol in two studies [13,26], 11.7% with water in two studies [2,27], 5.04% with 50% methanol in one study [24], 4.20% with petroleum ether in one study [28], 3.36% with chloroform in two studies [15,29], 2.52% with ethyl acetate in one study [2], 1.68% with aqueous acetone in one study [30], and 1.68% with 80% methanol in one study [8]. Mass spectrometry was the most commonly employed technique for the identification of bioactive compounds (81.5%) wherein one study used ESI-MS/MS, one used LC-QToF-MS, one used GC-MS, and two used NMR spectroscopy.…”

Spasmolytic Effect of Grewia asiatica Fruit Extract on Isolated Smooth Muscles is Mediated via Multiple Pathways

“…From among the class of flavonoid compounds, a number of compounds have been isolated and identified. Some of these are isovitexin, luteolin, nepetin, narirutin, hesperetin, catechin, epigallocatechin, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin [ 3 , 14 , 30 ], and vitexin [ 30 ]. Out of these flavonoids, quercetin, luteolin [ 31 , 32 ], and catechin [ 33 ] have been reported to have a CCB activity.…”