Phytochemical constituents and assessment of crude extracts from Ipomoea obscura for Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial and Anti-cancer activities

The plant-derived compounds serve as an important source for the treatment of various ailments and diseases. Medicinal plants with historical use is of great importance. Ipomoea obscura, otherwise known as “Lakshmanvel” in India belonging to Convolvulaceae family possesses significant pharmacological values and is used for the treatment of various diseases. In this study, phytochemical screening analysis of I. obscura was done qualitatively to detect the presence of bioactive compounds. Using ethanol, crude extract of Ipomoea obscura ethanol extract (IO ET) was prepared by means of Soxhlet apparatus. With the help of column chromatography, three compounds namely IO A, IO B, and IO C were extracted and further tests were carried out. In-vitro antioxidant activity for IO ET and its compounds was determined by the DPPH assay method. In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity for IO ET and its compounds was determined by the protein denaturation method. In-vitro anticancer activity for IO ET and its compounds was determined against B16F10 melanoma cell lines by the MTT assay method. In-vitro antibacterial activity for the isolated compounds was determined against S. aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by a well plate method. The qualitative phytochemical screening test revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, glycosides, and steroids. The results of in-vitro antioxidant activity of IO C compound exhibited greatest inhibition value with an average of 85%. Similarly, IO C sample confirmed its potent anti-inflammatory property with an average inhibition value of 41% which was the highest when compared to other samples. Anti-cancer activity showed effective results with IO C compound of 58.42% inhibition with 10µg/ml concentration of the compound and 74.57% inhibition with 100µg/ml concentration. Anti-bacterial activity results showed best zone of inhibition size with IO C compound against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. To conclude, results showed that IO C compound could be used a potent source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antibacterial after confirming with further analyses.