Phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and cytotoxic basis for the use of Haloxylon stocksii

A halophytic plant, Haloxylon stocksii, is used to treat various inflammatory disorders traditionally. The present study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical parameters, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and cytotoxic potential of the whole plant extracts of H. stocksii. The plant powder was standardized for pharmacognostic parameters. It was extracted with methanol followed by chloroform, ethyl acetate and water to prepare respective fractions. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the extract and fractions were estimated. The anti-inflammatory potential was determined through carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Centrally acting analgesic activity was assessed through the hot plate method. MTT assay was used to assess the viability of Human umbilical and human hepatocyte carcinoma cell lines upon exposure to plant extract/fractions. Chloroform fraction showed the highest phenolic while ethyl acetate exhibited a maximum flavonoids content. The plant ethyl acetate fraction exhibited highest percentage inhibition of paw edema and maximum analgesic activity at 500 mg/kg dose. The plant methanolic extract and fractions showed dose dependent cytotoxic activity. The present study concludes that the extracts of H. stocksii may be effective and safe against acute inflammatory response and pain at therapeutic concentrations.