Evaluation of Mast Cell Stabilizing, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Oxidant Activity of Seed Extracts of Saraca Asoka (Roxb.), De. Wild

Abstract

Saraca Asoka (Caesalpiniaceae) is a medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases. There is no scientific evidence for the anti-asthmatic activity of Saraca Asoka. Preliminary phytochemical screening of extract has revealed the presence various phytochemical components such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, and fixed oils and fats. However, no alkaloids, proteins and amino acids were found in the extracts. The present study was evaluated for phytochemical screening, mast cell stabilizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of Saraca Asoka. In the present study, DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in methanol extract (94.5 % ± 1.8%) of Saraca Asoka seeds. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in rats using carrageenan-induced paw edema and in vitro antioxidant activity was performed by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ABTS. Quantitative estimation of total polyphenolic content of the (SA-ME) was estimated by Folin-Ciocalteu method. SA-ME (200 mg/kg body wt.) significantly decreased paw volume, after oral administration of SA-ME in carrageenan and formaldehyde injection. SA-ME also exhibit significant antioxidant activity. Total polyphenolic content was found to be (179 ± 0.27 mg/ml) and exhibited highest flavonoid content (8.42 ± 0.25 mg/ml). These results show that the methanol extract of Saraca Asoka seeds shows potential mast cell stabilizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity.