Pharmacological evaluation and mechanism of action of melilotus officinalis and epilobium hirsutum with special reference to iron overloaded albino rats

Abstract

quotBackground: Iron overloaded disease also known as hemochromatosis, is a group of heterogeneous disease which is caused either due to hereditary or acquired condition. It is characterized by the accumulation of iron in the body which leads to the generation of free radicals that causes the organ damage. The plants containing flavonoids and phenolic compounds can chelate the metal ions and have antioxidant activity. Melilotus officinalis (Fabaceae) and Epilobium hirsutum (Onagraceae) contains flavonoids and phenolic compounds and have various medicinal values. newlineAim: The aim of the proposed research work is to evaluate the beneficial effects of M. officinalis and E. hirsutum on iron overloaded rats, to isolate the active constituents and postulate the mechanism of action. newlineMaterials and Methods: The pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical and High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis of M. officinalis and E. hirsutum were determined for ascertaining the quality of the crude drug. In-vitro iron chelating investigation of different fractions of M. officinalis and E. hirsutum were performed. The iron overload was induced by 6 I.P. injections of iron dextran (12.5 mg/100 g) administered uniformly over a period of 30 days. Different fractions of M. officinalis and E. hirsutum such as the methanolic fraction of methanolic extract (MFME), an aqueous fraction of methanolic extract (AFME), a methanolic fraction of aqueous extract (MFAE) and an aqueous fraction of aqueous extract (AFAE) were given orally and Deferoxamine (DFO) subcutaneously for 30 days. The extent of iron chelation and various biochemical parameters were estimated on 15th and 30th day of treatment. Histopathology of liver, heart and kidney were performed at the end of the study. The more bioactive fraction of M. officinalis and E. hirsutum were subjected to isolation of active constituents. In-vitro and In-vivo iron chelation activity of isolated compounds were performed. The molecular characterizations of isolated iron chelator comp