Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of the kernel root of Xylocarpus mekongensis (Lamk.) M. Roem

Abstract

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the crude ethanolic extract of the kernel root of Xylocarpus mekongenesis (Lamk.) M. Roem. (Meliaceae) was evaluated in different methods. The extract showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced oedema test in rats showing 69.42 % reduction in the paw volume (P < 0.01) comparable to that produced by the standard drug indomethacin (70.25 %) at 24 h when the extract was fed at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight. The percentage inhibition of the oedema paw volume was statistically significant (p < 0.05) when compared with the indomethacin treated animals at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h. The extract exhibited IC50 value 4.78 μg/ml in DPPH free radical scavenging activity test that was found to be very significant and comparable to that of the standard antioxidants ascorbic acid and BHA (1.9372 and 4.81 μg/ml) respectively. In nitric oxide radical scavenging test, the IC50 value was also found fairly significant 57.37 μg/ml when compared to standard ascorbic acid (36.81 μg/ml). In reducing power test, the maximum absorbance of the same extract was observed as 1.923 at 100 μg/ml and that of ascorbic acid and BHA were 2.8111 and 1.0314 respectively. The extract showed highest antioxidant capacity at 100 μg/ml concentration expressed as equivalents of ascorbic acid (1.44). The total phenolic content of the extract was also found quite high (342.15 ± 0.92 mg/g of gallic acid equivalent). Therefore, the results of this study suggest the probable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extract of X. mekongenesis kernel root and justify its use in traditional medicines.