Phytochemical group test and pharmacological investigations of Persicaria barbata (L.) H. Hara

Abstract

Persicaria barbata belongs to the family Polygonaceae. Many countries in eastern South Asia use various parts of P. barbata as traditional medicine. This study evaluates the preliminary chemical groups and pharmacological activities of different organic fractions of the aerial parts of P. barbata. For this, tests for chemical groups, DPPH scavenging, egg albumin denaturation, and disc diffusion assays were performed for phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial activity screening, respectively. In vivo anti-diarrheal, analgesic, and anti-pyretic activity screening was done by applying the castor oil-induced diarrheal model, the hot plate test, and the yeast-induced pyrexia model, respectively. Additionally, open field and swing test models were used to assess in vivo anxiolytic activity. Preliminary phytochemical screening suggests that P. barbata possesses alkaloids, steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, gums, and saponins. Ethanol extract showed concentration-dependent DPPH radical scavenging and inhibition of protein denaturation capacity. It also showed moderate (zone of inhibition ranging from 9 to 16 mm) broad-spectrum anti-bacterial effects against L. casei, L. coryniformis, B. cereus, S. aureus, P. azotoformis, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumonia. Moreover, organic fractions of the plant also showed significant anti-diarrheal, analgesic, anxiolytic, and antipyretic effects in Swiss albino mice. In conclusion, P. barbata might be a good source of phytotherapeutic agents. Further extensive investigation should be conducted to isolate and distinguish the active principles of this plant and to interpret the exact mechanism of each action.