Pharmacological Evaluation of Pandanus fascicularis Lam. Root Extracts

The current study sought to determine the pharmacological characteristics of the crude methanolic extract (MPF) of Pandanus fascicularis Lam. root and its soluble ethyl acetate (EAPF) and chloroform (CPF) fractions through in vivo and in vitro approaches. This herb has been used for generations in Bangladesh to heal a variety of human diseases. Qualitative phytochemical tests confirmed the presence of alkaloid, glycoside, flavonoid, tannin, resin etc. CPF exhibited highest antioxidative potential through the DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl -1- Picrylhydrazyl) radical quenching technique (IC₅₀ 39.89). In case of analgesic tests, CPF demonstrated uppermost inhibition in both formalin assay (55.82% in early phase and 58.18% in late phase) and acetic acid-induced writhing method (49.17%) at 400 mg/kg dose in mice. MPF showed a significant (p<0.01) diminution in locomotion of rodents in both open field and hole cross methods at utmost dose in comparison with the control group. In oral glucose tolerance test, all extracts significantly reduced blood glucose level following glucose loading (p<0.01, p<0.05) of animals in a dose dependent manner and CPF was found to have substantial hypoglycemic effect (6.4±0.14 mmoles/L at 400 mg/kg). All extracts considerably reduced the incidence of diarrheal episodes in mice in diarrheal tests (castor oil and magnesium sulphate induced diarrhea). EAPF and CPF showed remarkable thrombolytic (EAPF-25.41±1.48% and CPF-31.35±2.05% lysis) and antiarthritic (EAPF-80.33±0.86% and CPF-87.26±1.02% inhibition) effects in comparison to the reference drugs in the respective tests. All samples showed notable anthelmintic activity as proved by declined paralyzing and death time of Pheretima posthuma in anthelmintic assay. For insecticidal test with Tribolium castaneum, only CPF exhibited moderate mortality rate (50%) compared to others at 50mg/mL. These findings can be considered a benchmark for the future isolation of pure bioactive chemicals from this plant in the development of new phytomedicines.