An <em>in vitro</em> evaluation of <em>Tribulus terrestris</em> L. fruit extract for exploring therapeutic potential against certain gut ailments

Abstract

The enteric pathogens and oxidative stress are known to generate intestinal inflammation, chronic gut ailments and oncogenesis. Modulation of the gut microbial peak populations through herbal agents, offers a promising therapeutic modality.<em> Tribulus terrestris</em> Linn. (Tt), a widely documented medicinal herb in Ayurveda, was investigated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities <em>in vitro</em>. Fruit extract of Tt and quercetin, evaluated for free radical scavenging by DPPH method, revealed IC₅₀ values as 98.83 and 24.77 µg/mL, respectively. Anti-inflammatory attributes of Tt fruit extract and indomethacin, a known anti-inflammatory drug, rendered IC₅₀ values as 10.8 and 12.9 µg/mL against protein denaturation. MTT assay on HCT-15 cells revealed a decrease in viability from 78 to 22% against 30 and 70 µg/mL of Tt fruit extract, respectively. Zone of inhibition against <em>E. coli</em> increased from 0.19 to 9.82 cm² at 200 and 1000 µg/mL of Tt, respectively. The fruit extract of Tt enhanced the growth of probiotic <em>Lactobacillus rhamnosus</em> (<em>L.rh</em>) by 19, 44 and 50 % over the control at 100, 150 and 200 µg/mL, respectively. This study indicated the potential of <em>Tribulus terrestris</em> fruit extract against inflammatory, oxidative and microbe generated pathogenic ailments in the digestive system.