Evaluation of medicinal properties of Grewia nervosa (Lour.) Panigrahi

Abstract

Grewia nervosa (Lour) Panighrahi, belonging to the family Malvaceae s.l. is widely distributed along the Western Ghats of India. Although it has been commonly used in traditional medicine, the medicinal properties have not been scientifically evaluated. Phytochemical analysis established the presence of phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids and saponins in leaves. The aqueous and methanol extracts from leaves and bark of G. nervosa were investigated for medicinal properties using in vitro assays. The methanol extract of leaves demonstrated 97.5 percent inhibition of alpha-amylase activity. Additionally, the methanol extract of leaves also demonstrated antioxidant activity (5.41 plus or minus 0.23 mmol/g, dw) that was higher compared to aqueous extract (3.32 plus or minus 0.45 mmol/g, dw). Further the methanol extract of bark exhibited anti-lipoxygenase activity indicative of its potential to control inflammatory activity. These results suggest that Grewia nervosa would be a potential source for treatment of diabetes and its associated complications such as oxidative stress and inflammation.