ABSTRACT
The enteric pathogens and oxidative stress are known to generate intestinal inflammation, chronic gut ailments and oncogenesis. Modulation of the gut microbial peak populations through herbal agents, offers a promising therapeutic modality. Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Tt), a widely documented medicinal herb in Ayurveda, was investigated for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities in vitro. Fruit extract of Tt and quercetin, evaluated for free radical scavenging by DPPH method, revealed IC50 values as 98.83 and 24.77 µg/mL, respectively. Anti-inflammatory attributes of Tt fruit extract and indomethacin, a known anti-inflammatory drug, rendered IC50 values as 10.8 and 12.9 µg/mL against protein denaturation. MTT assay on HCT-15 cells revealed a decrease in viability from 78 to 22% against 30 and 70 µg/mL of Tt fruit extract, respectively. Zone of inhibition against E. coli increased from 0.19 to 9.82 cm2 at 200 and 1000 µg/mL of Tt, respectively. The fruit extract of Tt enhanced the growth of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L.rh) by 19, 44 and 50 % over the control at 100, 150 and 200 µg/mL, respectively. This study indicated the potential of Tribulus terrestris fruit extract against inflammatory, oxidative and microbe generated pathogenic ailments in the digestive system.