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The aim of the study was to screen the metabolite profile of phalsa (Grewia asiatica), an underutilized fruit crop, using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometric analysis. A total of 50 compounds were tentatively identified based on their molecular mass and characteristic fragment ions, each with less than 5 ppm of mass error. These compounds included 21 flavonols, 2 dihydroflavonols, 7 flavones, 3 flavanols, 6 anthocyanins, 3 isoflavonoids, 2 phenolic acids, 2 flavanones, and 4 other phenolics. Flavonols were the predominant group of compounds, representing around 52.6% of the total phenolics. The paper has also discussed the potentiality of phalsa as an emerging functional food for the management of various human diseases in relation to the existing literature.

Grewia asiatica L. (family-Malvaceae) commonly known as phalsa has been used traditionally as Rasayana which has a role in ameliorating cognitive decline and has a stimulant effect. The present study was conducted with an aim to investigate whether G. asiatica berries ameliorates cognitive deficits induced by scopolamine. In this experimental work, cognition enhancement activity of G. asiatica extracts (200 mg/kg) was assessed against scopolamine-induced amnesia using elevated plus maze model. To assess the protective potential of G. asiatica on scopolamine-induced damages effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), lipid peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, contents were estimated in rat brain homogenate spectrophotometrically and histopathological studies were done. Effect of methanol extract of G. asiatica (200 and 400 mg/kg) was assessed on dopamine and serotonin-mediated behavior using haloperidol-induced catalepsy and lithium-induced head twitches model respectively. Results showed that methanol extract of G. asiatica caused restoration of memory caused due to scopolamine-induced amnesia as measured on behavioral paradigms by elevating neurotransmitter acetylcholine, amelioration of oxidative stress markers, restoration of damaged neuronal cells cytoarchitecture and modulation of monoamines mediated behavior eliciting role of phalsa as promising nootropic candidate.

Grewia asiatica (Grewoideae family) is also known as Phalsa, used for the medicinal purpose has a high content of polysaccharides and polyphenols together with flavonoids and other secondary metabolites which obstructs their pure genomic DNA extraction. Although, there are various good quality DNA extraction protocols, extracting DNA from a high phenolic content plant is a challenging task. The present study describes an efficient and rapid DNA isolation protocol by optimizing cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) cocktail specifically for the extraction of DNA from polyphenolic leaf of G. asiatica without using liquid nitrogen. Extracted genomic DNA has high purity index (1.95) examined by A260/A280 ratio. The presence of good quality DNA was also evident by gel electrophoresis. The optimized DNA extraction method is efficient for both fresh and old tough leaves with high polyphenolic contents. The achievement of this method in extracting high quality of genomic DNA demonstrated the broad applicability of this method.

Background Inspite of introduction of oral hypoglycemic agents, diabetes and its related complications remains to be a major clinical problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of Grewia asiatica (Linn) stem bark in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Methods Diabetes was induced by a single dose of intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (110 mg/kg) in Norwegian Long Evans rats. Ethanol extract of barks from Grewia asiatica (GAE 200 and 400 mg/kg) and metformin (150 mg/kg) were orally administered once daily for 15 days. Blood glucose levels and body weights of rats were measured on 0, 5, 10 and 15 days of oral treatment. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed and blood sample were collected for the measurement of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL), SGOT and CK-MB. Analysis of liver glycogen content and histopathlogy of pancreas were carried out. In vitro DPPH free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and total flavonoid content of GAE were also determined. Results After 15 days of oral administration of GAE at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg increased survival rate and showed a significant attenuation in blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats. Oral ingestion of GAE significantly reduced the SGOT and CK-MB levels and restored liver glycogen content when compared to diabetic control. The effects of GAE on SGOT, CK-MB and liver glycogen content were dose-dependent. The diabetic rats treated with GAE showed significant improvement in normal cellular population size of islets. Phytochemical screening of GAE revealed the presence of flavonoid, steroid, tannin and phenolic compounds. Total phenolic content was 44.65 ± 3.17 mg of gallic acid equivalent per gm of GAE extract and the total flavonoid content was 39.11 ± 4.65 mg of quercetin equivalent per gm of GAE extract. In DPPH scavenging assay, IC50 values of GAE and ascorbic acid were found 76.45 and 12.50 μg/ml, respectively. Conclusion We demonstrated that ethanol extract of barks from G. asiatica possess glucose, lipid lowering efficacy, restored liver glycogen and protects pancreas from oxidative damage in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thus, the results of the present study provide a scientific rationale for the use of G. asiatica in the management of diabetes and its related complications.