Antioxidant and Possible Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Selected Medicinal Plants Prescribed in the Indian Traditional System of Medicine

Abstract

The 50% alcohol extracts of Swertia chirayita. (Roxb. ex Flem) (Gentianaceae), Cedrus deodar. (Roxb. ex Lamb) (Pinaceae), Boerhavia diffusa. (Linn.) (Nyctaginaceae), Berberis aristata. (Linn.) (Berberidaceae), Withania somnifera. Dunal (Solanaceae), Pongamia glabra. (Vent) (Papilionoideae), Petrocarpus santalinus. (Linn.) (Papilionoideae), Tinospora cordifolia. (Willd) Miers (Menispermaceae), and Acrous calamus. (Linn.) (Araceae), were screened for antioxidant and possible anti-inflammatory potential. The evaluation of antioxidant potential was determined by performing 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazine (DPPH˙) reduction assay, OH radical (OH˙) scavenging activity, estimation of vitamin C, total polyphenols, and inhibition of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as a model oxidizing enzyme. To understand the possible anti-inflammatory potential of the selected plants, trypsin and β.-glucuronidase inhibition assays were carried out. All the plants under study were found to be effective scavengers of DPPH radicals. Among the tested plants, only Pongamia glabra, Petrocarpus santalinus, Tinospora cordifolia., and Acrous calamus. were found to possess OH radical scavenging activity. Appreciable amounts of vitamin C and phenolics were estimated from all the plant extracts under study. Except for Pongamia glabra., all the tested plants demonstrated significant PPO inhibitory activity. The plants under study were found to have moderate antiproteolytic activity toward trypsin-induced hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin. Except for Cedrus deodar. and Acrous calamus., none of the plant extracts showed β.-glucuronidase inhibitory potential. The results of the current study may be of use for standardization and validation of herbal drugs containing the above mentioned plants as one of the ingredients.