Prostaglandin Synthesis Inhibitory Activity of Heliotropium indicum L. (Boraginaceae) and HPLC-DAD Analysis

Abstract

Dysmenorrhea a painful gynecological problem reported by women in their reproductive years, is a common condition  and is refers to painful menstruation with severe cramping affecting the lower part of the abdomen caused by excessive  prostaglandin production within secretory endometrial cell. Already existing drugs have numerous limitations. The  objective of the study is to evaluate the cyclooxygenase inhibitory and radical scavenging potential of Heliotropium  indicum L. (Boraginaceae) in the management of dysmenorrhea. The entire dried Heliotropium indicum plant was  extracted by successive extraction procedure. Cyclooxygenase assay was carried out using COX-2 Test kit and ABTS  assay was also carried out using ABTS Radical cation decoloration assay. HPLC-DAD was used to detect polyphenolic  molecules. In cyclooxygenase assay, methanol extract showed highest anti-inflammatory activity with the lowest IC₅₀ of  0.553±0.05 mg/mL when compared with Ibuprofen (IC₅₀ of 0.065±0.00 mg/mL) at 1-0.03125 mg/mL, nhexane and ethyl  acetate have IC₅₀ of 0.782±0.01mg/mL and 0.608±0.01mg/mL, respectively. Heliotriopium indicum extract also showed  an antioxidative activity when tested with ABTS radical cation decoloration with ethyl acetate having the highest activity  (IC50 of 0.315±0.00 mg/mL) when compared with Trolox (IC₅₀ of 0.034±0.00 mg/mL) at 1-0.03125 mg/mL. Tannic acid,  naringenin, garlic acid, quercetin, maleic acid and saponin were identified from HPLC-DAD analysis at various  concentration. Heliotriopium indicum has the potential to prevent the production of excessive prostaglandin by its  ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2. Therefore, could be a source of new COX-2 inhibitors.