61: Triterpenoid saponin rich fraction of Achyranthes aspera Linn. attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress induced by carrageenan in experimental rats

Abstract

Aim Achyranthes aspera Linn. is widely distributed in India and the tropical world as a common weed. It is used as a traditional remedy for treatment of various inflammatory conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine active component(s) responsible for anti-inflammatory activity of A. aspera (AA) in carrageenan induced rat paw oedema model by Bioassay-guided fractionation. Method The dry whole plant AA was extracted with methanol and then fractionated into Petroleum ether (PAA), Chloroform, Ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions according to polarity of solvents. Bioactive PAA fraction was re-extracted into saponin rich fraction (SRF) and non-saponin sub-fractions and tested for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan induced rat paw oedema model as a screening platform. Result Saponin rich fraction was shown to possess significant inhibition of rat paw oedema volume. Moreover, it was also found that the effects of active SRF improved the levels of antioxidant defense systems (SOD, CAT, GSH and MPO) in rat paw tissues against oxidative damage induced by carrageenan. Bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation and identification of oleanolic acid by GC–MS, IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR from SRF. Conclusion The present study suggests that AA extract and the SRF are effective against inflammation might be due to presence of oleanolic acid.