The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2025; 14(6):432-442 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2025.14603

Research Article

Evaluation of analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of Trichosanthes dioica leaf extract

Mehedi Shah¹ , Mehedi Hasan¹ , Momotaz Parvin¹ , Saleh A Shuvo¹ , Abdullah¹ , Anika Naznin¹ , Abdul A Bhuiyan¹ , Shariful Haque¹

Mehedi Shah,Mehedi Hasan,Momotaz Parvin,Saleh A Shuvo,Abdullah,Anika Naznin,Abdul A Bhuiyan,Shariful Haque

1. Department of Pharmacy, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Pabna-6600, Bangladesh

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 12th August, 2025 / Accepted: 17th November, 2025 / Published : 30th January, 2026

Abstract

Background: Trichosanthes dioica is an indigenous medicine that is extensively utilized for its known pharmacological properties. The leaves are commonly used as folk medicine for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal purposes. Here we look at its ability to be a producer of naturally occurring medicinal molecules, by conducting a systematic analysis of its biological activity. Objective: The present investigation was carried out to investigate the analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, thrombolytic, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory potentials of the methanolic extract of Trichosanthes dioica leaves and to evaluate its phytochemical composition. Materials and Methods: The methanolic extract of the T. dioica leaves was obtained and screened for various phytochemicals. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin contents were measured by the colorimetric method. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The analgesic activities of these extracts were assessed in mice by acetic acid-induced writhing and tail-flick tests. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion against a panel of bacteria, and the results indicate that it, in fact has antisolvent activity. Thrombolytic potential was tested by the in vitro clot lysis method and cytotoxicity using the brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The anti-inflammatory activity was examined using Human Red Blood Cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization in hypotonic and heat-induced conditions. Results: Phytochemical screening of Trichosanthes dioica indicated that the extract had high concentrations of phenolics (181 ± 0.52 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (202 ± 0.77 mg QE/g), and tannins (187 ± 0.37 mg GAE/g). The extract demonstrated potent antioxidant activity with the IC?? value of 42.92±0.89µg/mL in the DPPH assay. Analgesic analysis revealed that the extract significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the peripheral (33.95%, 47.71% and 58.72% at doses of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) as well as central pain at 30,60, and 90 minutes, respectively. Moderate antibacterial activity was observed for the extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with an inhibition zone of 10±0.09mm at 500µg/disc. Low thrombolytic (11.73±2.31%) activity compared to streptokinase (68.82±5.53%) and absence of cytotoxicity (LC??=0µg/mL) were observed. A small to modest anti-inflammatory effect was detected by nearly all tests, inhibition of hypotonic and heat-induced hemolysis (6.48 and 15.47%) compared with the standard drug, acetylsalicylic acid, which yielded an inhibition of 87.53% and 12.35%, respectively. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of T. dioica leaves exhibited significant analgesic and antioxidant activity, a mild anti-inflammatory effect, and moderate antibacterial activity, with a low rate of thrombolysis. On the other hand, it is nontoxic at all when tested for cytotoxic activities. These results justify the known use of this plant in traditional medicine and indicate the need for further study to isolate and characterize active constituents.