Abstract
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The people of Kashmir customarily practice traditional medicines for curing various ailments. 3 nutritious herbs; Melissa officinalis L (Lamiaceae, MO), Taraxacum officinale L (Compositae, TO), and Urtica dioica L (Urticaceae, UD) were selected based on their ingestion as a folklore remedy for treating various illness, including infections, inflammation, and cancer. We aimed to scientifically validate their indigenous usage. Plant extracts were prepared by extraction in 95% methanol and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening, total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid content (TFC), and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In vitro, antioxidant and antiproliferative activities were determined. For in vivo study; 56 Wister rats were randomly assorted into 8 groups. Rats in the control group received saline, toxicity group received Acetaminophen/paracetamol (APAP, 2 g/kg b.w) orally for 7 days. Treatment groups received 300 mg/kg of MO, TO, or UD, respectively for 7 days after APAP (2 g/kg b.w) administration. Serum inflammation markers, antioxidant parameters, and histopathology were investigated. The GC–MS of methanol extracts indicated 16 compounds in MO (21.6% 1-nitro-β-d-arabinofuranos, as major compound), 19 compounds in TO (30.06% rutin, as major compound) and 15 compounds in UD (29.86% saponin, as major compound). TO exhibited more significant antiradical capacity in DPPH assay (IC50 29.6 ± 1.12 µg/mL) and antioxidant activity in CUPRAC assay (889.34 ± 5.65 μM Trolox/g DW of extract) compared to MO (657.77 ± 5.21) and UD (534.45 ± 4.56). MO, TO and UD exhibited potent anti-proliferative potency against HT 29 and HCT 116 cancer cells, while no cytotoxicity against normal Vero cell lines. MO, TO, and UD ameliorated (p < 0.001) APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by improving elevated ALT, AST, and ALP levels and significantly (p < 0.001) decreasing TNF-α and IL-6 levels in serum. Histological examinations confirmed the biochemical findings. The present study confirmed the scientific basis for the application of (selected) medicinal herbs (studied). Plant extracts revealed antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential against APAP-induced liver injury. Further investigations to understand the mechanism of action and use in clinical trials is recommended.