Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities and HPLC quantification of flavonoids in Pteris tripartita Sw. a critically endangered medicinal fern from India

Abstract

In this present study, we aimed to evaluate in vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of a giant bracken fern, Pteris tripartita (PT) ethanol frond extract. Ethanol frond extract of PT was studied for their in vitro antioxidant activities using ABTS•+ and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activities and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema volume method (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of ethanol frond extract and 50 mg/kg of standard flavonoid, rutin). Significant ABTS•+ radical scavenging activity was observed in both ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts. Higher percentages of hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity were observed in both hexane extract and chloroform extract, respectively. Moreover, ethanol frond extract of PT exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity after 3 h of treatment. We identified two flavonoids namely, rutin and quercetin in ethanol frond extract of PT. Our results revealed that P.tripartita fern could be used as a natural antioxidant and a potent therapeutic drug for ailments. • Antioxidant flavonoids, rutin and quercetin were identified by HPLC in ethanol frond extract of a giant bracken fern, P. tripartita Sw. • Various extracts of P.tripartita (PT) exhibited potent antioxidant activities. • Frond ethanol extract of PT exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity. • There were no biochemical variation in blood serum parameters namely, glucose, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST) among normal and ethanol front extract of PT.