ABSTRACT:

Background: Citrus limetta (Rutaceae), commonly known as sweet lime, is widely used in folklore medicine and possesses various pharmacological properties. However, the fruit peel has not been extensively evaluated for its clot-lysis potential. Objective: The present study aimed to determine the total phenolic content and evaluate the in-vitro thrombolytic activity of the hydroethanolic extract of Citrus limetta fruit peel. Methods: The dried fruit peel was extracted using a hydroethanolic solution (water:ethanol, 60:40) via a Soxhlet apparatus and fractionated with petroleum ether. The total phenolic content was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent. The in-vitro thrombolytic model was used to assess the clot lysis activity of the extract compared to a standard drug (Streptokinase) and a negative control (water). Results: The physicochemical evaluation revealed an acidic pH (5.05) and a specific gravity of 1.229 g/ml. The total phenolic content was found to be 13.48 mg/g of Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE). In the thrombolytic assay, the extract exhibited an average clot lysis of 14.28%, compared to 60.98% by standard Streptokinase and 4.01% by the negative control. Conclusion: The hydroethanolic extract of Citrus limetta fruit peel possesses moderate in-vitro thrombolytic activity, which may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds.

Keywords: Citrus limetta, In-vitro thrombolytic activity, Hydroethanolic peel extract, Total phenolic content, Streptokinase comparison.