Beneficial Effects of Trillium govanianum Rhizomes in Pain and Inflammation

Abstract

Trillium govanianum rhizome is used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedy in traditional medicine in northern Pakistan. In an attempt to establish its medicinal value, the present research evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of T. govanianum. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of extract and fractions was investigated in the carrageenan induced paw edema assay. The in vitro suppression of oxidative burst of extract, fractions and isolated compounds was assessed through luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. The in vivo analgesic activity was assayed in chemical and thermal induced nociceptive pain models. The crude methanol extract and its solvent fractions showed anti-inflammatory and analgesic responses, exhibited by significant amelioration of paw edema and relieve of the tonic visceral chemical and acute phasic thermal nociception. In the oxidative burst assay, based on IC 50 , the crude methanol extract and n-butanol soluble fraction produced a significant inhibition, followed by chloroform and hexane soluble fractions as compared to ibuprofen. Similarly, the isolated compounds pennogenin and borassoside E exhibited significant level of oxidative burst suppressive activity. The in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities as well as the in vitro inhibition of oxidative burst validated the traditional use of T. govanianum rhizomes as a phytotherapeutic remedy for both inflammatory conditions and pain. The observed activities might be attributed to the presence of steroids and steroid-based compounds. Therefore, the rhizomes of this plant species could serve as potential novel source of compounds effective for alleviating pain and inflammation.

Therapeutic Potential of Diosgenin and Its Major Derivatives against Neurological Diseases: Recent Advances

“…The seeds of fenugreek (T. foenum graecum Linn) [35] and the rhizomes of D. zingiberensis are also important sources of DG. In addition, Trillium govanianum and Costus speciosus contain around 2.5% and more than 2.12% of DG, respectively [36][37][38]. DG is mainly generated by the hydrolysis of steroidal saponins in the presence of a strong acid, base, or enzyme catalyst [39].…”

“…DG is mainly generated by the hydrolysis of steroidal saponins in the presence of a strong acid, base, or enzyme catalyst [39]. Currently, microbial transformation is a promising method for the production of DG because of its environmentally friendly, highly specific, and mild reaction conditions at a low cost [36,40].…”

Bioactive Steroids and Saponins of the Genus Trillium

“…The rhizome of T. govanianum is commonly known as “matar zela” or “teen patra” in Pakistan, and “nag chatri” in India [ 19 ]. In folk medicine, T. govanianum is used to cure dysentery and boils; in wound healing, and menstrual and sexual disorders; and as anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agent [ 50 ]. The powdered roots are used as body and sexual tonic [ 51 ].…”

“…The powdered roots are used as body and sexual tonic [ 51 ]. Noteworthy, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, free radical scavenging, β-glucuronidase inhibitory activities as well as cytotoxicity against prostate and cervical carcinoma cells of T. govanianum have been recently reported [ 19 , 29 , 50 ].…”

Antifertility Activity and Contraceptive Potential of the Hydroalcoholic Rhizome Extract of Trillium Govanianum in Female Wistar Rats

“…T. govanianum is used in several traditional and folk medicines containing steroids and sex hormones and for the treatment of ailments such as boils, dysentery, inflammation, menstrual disorders, sex-related disorders, wound healing, and as an antiseptic [5][6][7]. The antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antifungal potential of T. govanianum has been experimentally validated [4,5,[8][9][10]; however, the scientific evidence to justify its antifertility potential is lacking. Therefore, the present study was aimed to investigate the antifertility potential of T. govanianum and to elucidate the possible mechanism.…”