In vitro and in vivo biological approach to validate folkloric claims of Trianthema triquetra Rottler & Willd

Trianthema triquetra Rottler & Willd (Tt.Cr) is used in traditional practices as a remedy for various ailments. Hence current research was commenced to authenticate the folkloric uses. To discover spasmolytic potential, Tt.Cr was applied to isolate jejunum, while isolated tracheal and aorta tissues were used to determine the tissue relaxing properties of the extract. Anti-lipoxygenase activity was determined in vitro using Baicalein as standard. In vivo testing was carried to examine the potentiality of the herb to treat pyrexia and pain. Tt.Cr showed dose-dependent (0.01 3.0 mg/ml) spasmolytic effects in jejunum tissues and relaxed K (80 mM)-induced spasm and triggered rightwards shift of Ca concentration-response curves. Carbachol (1μM)together with K (80 mM) induced tracheal spasm was also relaxed by Tt.Cr (0.01 to 1.0 mg/ml). Additionally, Tt.Cr (0.01 1.0 mg/ml) relaxed phenylephrine (1 μM) and K (80 mM) treated constricted rabbit aorta. Tt.Cr (0.5 mM) inhibited lipoxygenase enzyme. Tt.Cr (80 mg/kg) settled pyrexia in rabbits comparable to aspirin and prolonged tail deflection time in mice (100 mg/kg) hence proving analgesic activity. The Tt.Cr demonstrated antispasmodic, bronchodilation and vasodilation properties probably by blocking calcium channels. These outcomes generate logic behind ancient application of herb for numerous ailments such as asthma, cough, heart problems and spasm. Introduction Trianthema triquetra (Aizoaceae) is commonly known as Alettie, Chulani (Ahmad et al. 2015), Choti Ulwaiti (Ahmad et al. 2014), Loonaki in Pakistan (Zarin et al. 2016), Naayi Soppo, Lunki, Lutanki in India, red spinach, small hogweed in Australia (Quattrocchi 2012). Plant paste has been applied on swellings by population for rheumatism (Katewa and Galav 2005) and possessed anti-inflammatory potential both in vitro and in vivo bioactivity test (Sathyaraj and Indumathy 2018). It exhibited hepatoprotective effects when investigated on rats (Chitra and Nithyanandhi 2007) and its roots showed significant gastric anti-secretory and acid neutralizing effects (Ghori 2016). The plant can cure cold, flu, cough and asthma (Akbar and Khatoon 2012, Ahmad et al. 2015) thus rendering its tendency towards its potential as an antitussive, bronchodilator and antipyretic but as it has not been searched for these activities. Chemically plant comprises thiobarbituric acid, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase (Chitra and Nithyanandhi 2007). Preliminary phytochemical testing (Tona et al. 1998) revealed that plant extract possesses saponins, tannins, and flavonoids. *Author for correspondence: <pharmariaz@gmail.com>. Department of Pharmacy, The Women University Multan, Pakistan. Department of Pharmacy, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Pakistan. Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal Urdu University of Science and Technology, Karachi Pakistan. Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, Romania. Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.