Anti-sickling, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant potential of Rubia cordifolia L.: A traditionally used medicinal plant of Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh (India)

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disease affecting millions of people worldwide leading to serious life complications. The current study aims to characterize the traditionally used Rubia cordifolia L. for phytoconstituents, anti-sickling, antiinflammatory and antioxidant potential. Phytochemical screening disclosed the presence of almost all major metabolites to be present in the roots. Maximum percentage of reverse sickling (61.5%) and polymerization inhibition (59%) was observed in the acetone extract. Minimum hemolysis of the RBC was observed in aqueous extract (6.0%). Chloroform extract displayed maximum IC₅₀ (70.6) in DPPH while maximum FRAP value (1.52 μM) was obtained for methanol extract. Acetone extract was rich in TPC (528.3± 2.20 mg GAE/g) TFC (225.8±1.5 mg QE/g) and TTC (1215.6±3.9 mg TAE/g) and displayed maximum protection (85.0%) in membrane stabilization and LOX inhibition (81.5%) while the aqueous extract significantly inhibited XO (71.3%). Overall, the R. cordifolia acetone extract displayed maximum antisickling, anti-inflammatory, membrane stabilization properties and anti-oxidant potential validating the traditional use of R. cordifolia. The results provides us insights for the future development of novel plant based drug/formulations that might help in the treatment or management of SCD. However, bioactivity guided fractionization should be performed for the identification of potent compounds.