LAUSR

Abstract 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