Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Protodioscin from Tribulus Terrestis: An In-Vitro Pharmacological Evaluation

Abstract

Protodioscin, a major furostanol steroidal saponin present in Tribulus terrestris, has gained considerable attention due to its broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, cardioprotective, and aphrodisiac effects. The present study was undertaken to extract, isolate, characterize, and evaluate the in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of protodioscin obtained from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of steroidal saponins and other bioactive constituents. Protodioscin was isolated by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and further characterized through physicochemical evaluation, including solubility and melting point determination. Structural confirmation was carried out using UV-Visible and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, which verified the characteristic functional groups of protodioscin. The pharmacological activity of the extract was evaluated by the protein denaturation assay to assess its in-vitro anti-cancer potential. The ethanolic extract exhibited significant concentration-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, indicating notable anti-cancer activity comparable to the standard drug. The biological activity observed may be attributed to the presence of protodioscin, which is known to inhibit inflammatory mediators and reduce protein denaturation associated with inflammatory condition .Furthermore, the successful extraction, isolation, and spectroscopic characterization of protodioscin provide a scientific basis for its standardization and quality control in herbal formulations. Overall, this study highlights the therapeutic significance of Tribulus terrestris and suggests that protodioscin may serve as a promising lead compound for future pharmaceutical research. Further in-vivo studies and clinical investigations are warranted to validate its efficacy and safety for therapeutic applications.