Antioxidant, anti-inflannnatory and anti-pyretic activities of trichosanthes dioica roxb. fruits

Abstract

The present study was designed to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potential of the methanolic extract along with its organic soluble fractions of the fruits of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. Antioxidant potential of the extract/fractions was evaluated by DPPH (1,ldiphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and NO (nitric oxide) scavenging assay method. Ethyl acetate fractions (EtOAc) showed highest scavenging activity in all the methods with IC50 value of 12.32±0.16 and 5.38±0.07 pg mL -1 for DPPH and NO assay method, respectively. In reducing power assay, EtOAc fraction also showed significant (p<O.OOl) activity. Further, the extract/fractions were studied for their anti-inflammatory (carrageenan induced paw edema in rats) and antipyretic (Brewer's yeast induced pyrexia) activities at a dose level of 100, 200 and 400 mg kg-1 body weight for MeOH extract. Methanolic extract showed a dose dependent and significant (p<0.005, p<0.05) anti -inflammatory and antipyretic effect. Dichloromethane fraction (CH2CI2) and Ethyl acetate fractions exhibited similar activity using a dose of 200 mg kg-1 b.wt. in these models. The pharmacological activities of the (CH2CI2) fraction were lesser than the MeOH extract and other fractions. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid content and total antioxidant capacity were also determined. Altogether, these results suggest that the MeOH extract and its organic soluble fractions EtOAc could be used as a potential antioxidant, anti -inflammatory and antipyretic agent.