Pharma Research Library | Pharma Info Index Research | Innovation | Opportunities |
R. Uma*, M. Vicky, K. Sangeetha
PG & Research Dept. of Biochemistry, Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
A B S T R A C T
Vernonia cinerea belongs to the family Asteraceae, is a common weed distributed throughout India. It has many therapeutic uses in traditional medicine of the world. The objective of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and anticoagulant activities of the whole plant extracts of Vernonia cinerea Linn. The whole plant extract of V. cinerea were prepared using different solvents which includes acetone, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water. Quantitative phytochemicals were determined in all the extracts. Membrane stabilizing activity was assessed by using erythrocyte in hypotonic solution and heat induced haemolysis method. The aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts of V.cinerea at different concentrations (0.2 & 0.4 mg/ml) were tested on plasma by in-vitro prothrombin time test. Heparin and saline in distilled water were used as standard and negative control respectively. The time taken for clotting was considered as parameter to assess the anticoagulant activity. Significant amount of non enzymic antioxidants which includes phenol, carotenoids, flavonoids, tannins, α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid were present in all the extracts. Ethyl acetate and acetone extracts of V.cinerea exhibited potent anticoagulant activity at concentration of 0.4 mg/ml. Aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts of V.cinerea possess significant membrane stabilizing activity at concentration of 2mg/ml. The results obtained from the study revealed the fact that aqueous, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts of V.cinerea possess significant membrane stabilizing and anticoagulant activities. The protective potential of the extracts may be attributed due to the presence of high concentration of phenols, carotenoids, flavonoids and ascorbic acid.
Keywords: Vernonia cinerea, Antioxidant, Anticoagulant, Membrane stabilization, Prothrombin time
