Antiproliferative, antioxidant and antiplasmodial activities of the root bark of Adenodolichos paniculatus (Hua) Hutch (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Adenodolichos paniculatus Hua & Hutch (Fabaceae) is a plant whose roots are traditionally employed for the treatment of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer. The powdered root bark of Adenodolichos paniculatus were extracted with dichloromethane followed by 70% methanol to afford dichloromethane (DCM) and hydromethanolic (HME) extracts respectively. Thereafter, fresh powdered root was extracted with water via decoction method and lyophilized to afford aqueous extract (AQE). The extracts were then subjected to standard phytochemical studies, antiproliferative (A2780 ovarian cancer cell assay), antiplasmodial (Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum), antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods) and brine shrimp lethality assay studies. The DCM extract was found to possess high levels of total phenolics and flavonoids with notable potential antiproliferative (IC₅₀ = 0.14 μg/ml), antiplasmodial (IC₅₀ = 7.50 μg/ml) and cytotoxic (brine shrimp, IC₅₀ = 0.547 μg/ml) activities. However, HME had significant antioxidant (DPPH, IC₅₀ = 17.54 ± 0.03 μg/ml; ABTS, IC₅₀ = 8.08 ± 0.05 μg/ml). Both HME and AQE were found to be inactive against the drug-resistant Dd2 strain of Plasmodium falciparum with an IC₅₀ value ˃100μg/mL. The study revealed the potential of Adenodolichos paniculatus as a promising antiproliferative agent and also corroborated the ethnomedical uses of the plant.