A Pharmacological Investigation of Boerhavia diffusa: Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Analgesic, and Neurological Properties

Abstract

Boerhavia diffusa, commonly known as Punarnava, is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine due to its rich phytochemical composition, including flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds. This study investigates the anticancer, antidiabetic, neuropharmacological, and analgesic properties of the methanolic extract of Boerhavia diffusa (MEBD) using in vitro and in vivo models. The anticancer activity was evaluated using HeLa cell lines for cell viability assay, where MEBD demonstrated significant inhibition of cell viability, with the highest inhibition (29.16%) observed at 1000 µm/mL. Morphological changes in cancer cells further supported its anticancer potential. For antidiabetic activity, MEBD was tested on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, showing a dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose levels, with the most significant effect at 400 mg/kg. Neuropharmacological effects were assessed through thiopental sodium-induced sleep and forced swimming tests. MEBD at 400 mg/kg significantly prolonged sleep duration and increased immobility time, indicating potential anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. Analgesic effects were evaluated using hot plate and formalin-induced nociception tests. MEBD at 500 mg/kg showed the highest latency in the hot plate test and significantly reduced nociceptive behavior in the formalin test, suggesting strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The results highlight the therapeutic potential of MEBD, with higher doses (400-500 mg/kg) demonstrating more pronounced effects across all tested activities. The study concludes that Boerhavia diffusa possesses significant pharmacological properties, making it a promising candidate for developing novel treatments for cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders, and pain. Further research is needed to identify the specific bioactive compounds and their mechanisms of action.