N.B. Sridharamurthy*,
Dhiman Vinay, R. Yogananda
Department of
Pharmacology, Dayananda Sagar College of
Pharmacy, Bangalore, India
ABSTRACT:
The use of
traditional medicine is expanding to newer horizons and plants still remain as
the novel source of structurally important compounds that lead to the
development of innovative drugs. India has about 45,000 plant species among
which medicinal property has been attributed to several thousands. The
traditional Indian system of medicine, the Ayurveda,
mentions the use of plants in the treatment of various diseased conditions.
Ethno botanical research done in last few decades have revealed the anti-inflammatory
and anti-oxidant properties of plants cited in the traditional literature. Many
herbal preparations are being prescribed as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant
in the traditional literature. The search for new anti-inflammatory and
analgesic agents from the huge array of medicinal plant resources is
intensifying. This is because such plants may hold assurance for the discovery
of novel therapeutic agents capable of suppressing, reducing or relieving pain
as well as inflammation. This chapter reviews such plant species and their
products that have shown experimental antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and
analgesic activities.
KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic.
INTRODUCTION:
Medicinal herbs have been known from millennia and are
highly esteemed all over the world as a rich source of therapeutic agents for
prevention of diseases and ailments. India and China perhaps the largest
producers of medicinal herbs and are rightly called the “Botanical garden of
the world”. India in this regard has a very unique position in the world, where
a number of recognized indigenous systems of medicine namely Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy are practiced and
utilized for the health care of the people [1].
The research into plants with alleged
folkloric use as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents is definitely a
fruitful and logical research strategy in the search for new analgesic and
anti-inflammatory drugs [2]. The term inflammation is derived from
the Latin word – Inflammare,
means burn. Any form of injury to the human body can elicit a series of
chemical changes in the injured area. Earlier it was believed that inflammation
was contemplated as a single disease caused by disturbances of body fluids.
According to the modern concept, inflammation is a healthy process resulting
from some disturbance or disease. The cardinal signs of inflammation are heat,
redness, swelling, pain and loss of function. Inflammation usually involves a
sequence of events which can be categorized under three phases viz. acute
transient phase, delayed sub acute phase and chronic proliferate phase. In the
first phase, inflammatory exudates develop due to enhanced vascular
permeability and leads to local edema.
It is followed by the migration of leukocytes
and phagocytes from blood to vascular tissues which are the second phase, in
the third phase; tissue degradation is followed by fibrosis. Inflammation
results in the liberation of endogenous mediators like histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, prostaglandins etc.
Prostaglandins are ubiquitous substances
that indicate and modulate cell and tissue responses involved in inflammation.
Most of the anti-inflammatory drugs now available are potential inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway of arachidonic
acid metabolism which produces prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hyperalgesic, potent vasodilators and also contribute to erythema, edema and pain. Hence for treating inflammatory
diseases analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents are required
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The selected plant Rhynochsia
beddomei is endemic to Southern parts
India and mainly found in some parts of Cuddapah, Chittoor, Anantapur districts of
Andhra Pradesh. Leaves of the plant are traditionally used in the treatment of
all type of wounds as an antimicrobial agent. Leaves are also used as an abortifacient by Adivasi tribes
in some districts of Andhra Pradesh. Plant parts are extensively used by
traditional healers in India to treat a variety of bacterial diseases such as
dysentery, diarrhoea and skin disorders. The tribals of Sikkim are using leaves of the plant in
treatment of wounds, helminthes infections and as abortifacient.
In Saurastra region of Gujarat leaves are utilized by
aborigines for the treatment of asthma and piles.
Collection
of plant materials:
For the present study the leaves of the Rhynchosia beddomei
collected in the month of August from Arunachalam
hills of Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) as the active
constituents are found to be maximum during these days. The fresh plant was
identified, confirmed and authenticated by Dr. Madavachetty,
Professor, Department Botany, Sri Venkateshwara
University, Tirupati (A.P.). The powdered material
was used for the extraction. Various extracts of the plant material were
prepared by successive solvent extraction.
Animals
Healthy Wister rats and Swiss Albino mice of
either sex, weighing between 150-200g and 20-30g respectively were procured
from the animal house of Dayananda Sagar college of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India where the
animals were kept in well ventilated spacious animal house with 12 ± 1 h day
and night schedule. The animals were lodged in large and spacious hygienically maintained
cages during the course of the experimental period. The room temperature was
maintained at 25 ± 1°C. The animals were fed with standard rat feed (Brook Bond
Lipton India Ltd., Bangalore.) and water ad libitum.
The experiments were conducted as per the guidelines of CPCSEA, Chennai, India
(approval no. 606/02/c/CPCSEA) and Institutional Ethical Committee clearance
no. DSCP/ M. Pharm. Col/ 1AEC/62/11-12
Antioxidant activity
Evaluation of In vitro antioxidant activities of
the leaf extracts of Rhynochsia beddomei.
Free-radical scavenging activity of aqueous
ethanol extracts at different concentrations was tested in three in vitro
models.
DPPH free radical scavenging activity
Free scavenging activity was measured by a
decrease in absorbance at 516 nm of a methanol solution of colored DPPH brought
about by the sample [3][4][5].
Estimation of Superoxide Anion scavenging
activity in the NADH/PMS/NBT System:
The superoxide anion scavenging activity of
extracts were determined by the method described by [6], slightly
modified. Decreased absorbance of the reaction mixture indicated increased
superoxide anion scavenging activity. All tests were performed in triplicate.
The capability of scavenging the superoxide anion radicals was calculated using
the following equation,
(A0- A1)
% scavenging effect
=---------------------- X 100
A0
Where, A0 is the absorbance of
the control (without test samples); A1 is the absorbance of test
samples.
Lipid per oxidation Assay
Lipid per oxidation was quantified by the
method of determination of thiobarbituric
acid-reactive substances (TBARS) described by[7]using
UV-Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu UV-2450). The experiment is performed
in triplicate. The capability of scavenging the free radicals is calculated by
using the following equation
[Control–Test]
% Scavenging effect = ----------------------- ×100
Test
Acute toxicity studies as per
OECD Guideline 425.
Healthy Wister rats weighing between 150-180 g were
used to carry out acute toxicity studies by the ‘staircase’ method. All
successive extracts of Rhynchosia beddomei leaves were subjected for acute toxicity
studies. The extracts were suspended in 0.5% tween 80
and administered orally by gavages in graduated doses to several groups of
experimental animals under test, one dose being used per group. Subsequently,
observations were made at 0,1,2,4 and 24 h. Observations include changes in
skin and fur, mucous membranes and also muscle spasm, convulsion, motor
activity and behavioral patterns and for any mortality.
Anti-inflammatory activity
Inflammation is an immune response to cellular/tissue
injury or infection by pathogens. It is
clinically characterized by features such as redness, warmth, swelling, and
pain. The process itself is not
considered a disease, but failure to contain it and successfully resolute it in
a timely fashion results in exacerbation of tissue damage and modulation of
cell signaling pathways [8]. Inflammation involves a portfolio of
cellular and molecular components collectively referred to as inflammation
mediators.
Experimental model for testing
anti-inflammatory activity:
Carrageenan-induced pedal inflammation
Acute inflammatory condition is produced in
the animals by adopting the method of Carrageenan-induced
pedal inflammation [9]. Paw volumes were measured using a Plethysmometer at different time intervals of 0, 30, 60,
120, 240 minutes. The reduction in the paw volume was calculated. The
percentage inhibition of edema was calculated using the following formula:
% Inhibition of Edema = [1 – (Vt/Vc)] x
100
Where Vt
is edema volume of the drug treated group and Vc
is the edema volume of the control group.
Corton oil induced ear edema
The anti-inflammatory activities of leaf extracts of Rhynchosia beddomei
were measured on mouse by using croton oil induced ear edema. The method of [10]
was adopted for this assay. Mice were anesthetized with anesthetic ether and
20μl liter of an acetone solution containing 0.4 mg croton oil and
appropriate amount of test samples(400
and 800 mg/kg) dissolved in acetone were
applied to the inner surface of the each ear. The left ear remained untreated.
Control animals received only the irritant while indomethacin
300mg/kg b.w. was served as the reference. The animals were sacrificed by cervical
dislocation 5 hours later and a plug (7mm in diameter) was removed from the
both the treated ear and the untreated ear. The difference in weight between
two was taken as a measure of edematous response. The percentage response of
protection was evaluated using following ratio
(Control mean – treated mean) x 100/ control mean.
RESULTS:
Herbal medicine is the oldest form of health care known
to mankind. Herbs have been used by all civilizations through the history. It
was an integral part of the development of modern civilization. Many drugs
commonly used today are of herbal origin. Herbal medicines are major component
in traditional medicine and a common element in ayurvedic,
homeopathic, naturopathic, unani, sidda
including allopathy. Substances derived from the
plants remain the basis for large proportions of the commercial medicines used
today for the treatment of heart diseases, high blood pressure, pain, asthma,
antioxidant, analgesic, antiinflamatory and other
problems. The major constituents of the plants extracts are alkaloids,
glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids,
resins, gums and carbohydrates [11]. The characterization and
estimation of these constituents can be analyzed by employing various phytochemical techniques.
Phytochemical studies
In the preliminary studies experiments were
conducted to determine the pharmacognostic features
of the leaves material of the selected plant Rhynchosia
beddomei. In the present study the pharmacognostic features of all forms of extracts namely
petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethanol and have been analyzed. The details of
the quantity of the leaves powder taken for extraction and nature of the
extracts are given in the table -1.
Qualitative phytochemical
investigation
To screen the phytochemical
constituents of the selected leaves, qualitative phytochemical
investigations were carried out. All the extracts were subjected to appropriate
preliminary qualitative chemical analysis where some of the important
constituents were analysed such as, carbohydrates, triterpenoids, saponins,
steroids; alkaloids, carbohydrates, triterpenoids, saponins, steroids, glycosides (Table -3 ). It is observed
that the flavanoids, carbohydrates, alkaloids saponins and glycosides are the important active
constituents found in ethanol and chloroform extracts. However, saponins are present are in all the extracts.
The ability of the antioxidant property of a plant
extract can be determined by its total phenolic
content. Hence, it is essential to determine the total phenolic
contents of all the extracts of Rhynchosia beddomei leaves quantitatively by the method of Folin-ciocalteu. [11]. The total phenolic content is found to be very high in ethanol
extract (23.24%) followed by chloroform (9.78%). However, the petroleum ether
extracts showed very less quantities (4.21%).
From the above investigations it is clear that the
pharmacologically active constituents are present mainly in the chloroform and
ethanol extracts. The pet-ether extracts contain very less number of active
constituents. Based on the presence of more active constituents in these
extracts the chloroform and alcohol extracts have been selected for further
studies.
Table-1: Percentage extractives and physical
characteristics of the different extracts of the leaves of Rhynchosia beddomei .
|
Extracts |
Quantity used
for extraction |
Nature of the
extract |
Yield % |
|
|
Powder(g) |
Solvent(ml) |
|
|
|
|
Petroleum
ether (40-60oC) |
100 |
250 |
Slightly
yellowish sticky mass |
12.25% |
|
Chloroform |
100 |
250 |
Dark brown
semisolid |
18.75% |
|
Ethanol |
100 |
250 |
Dark brown sticky
solid |
25.75% |
Pharmacological investigations
Acute toxicity studies were conducted for
chloroform, ethanol extracts. For the extracts the maximum tolerated dose is found
to be 4000mg/kg b.w when the extracts were
administered orally. As per the OECD guidelines the maximum therapeutic dose is
1/10th of maximum tolerated dose, hence the therapeutic dose
selected for the extracts were 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weight. After
treatment with various extracts it is observed that the animal did not show any
variations in any of the following indicators viz., body weight, behavior, loss
of appetite, hyperthermia/hypothermia, erected hair etc. The weights of the
vital organs (Liver, Kidney, Brain, and Spleen) were also found to be unaltered
by the treatment with test extracts. The analysis of the above parameters
indicates that the dose selected will not interfere with any of the body
functions while performing various pharmacological investigations.
Phytochemical investigations conducted by quantitative showed that
chloroform and ethanol extracts of the leaves of Rhynchosia
beddomei extract contain variable concentrations
of polyphenols. Hence it is necessary to carry out
the antioxidant property for both the extracts of Rhynchosia
beddomei.
Both the extracts of the leaves of Rhynchosia beddomei were
subjected for free radical scavenging activity by the following three methods.
a) 1,1-Diphenyl
2 picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH)
radical scavenging activity
b) Superoxide
anion scavenging activity
c) Lipid peroxidation inhibition activity
1,1-Diphenyl 2 picryl
Hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity.
The free radical scavenging activity of
various extracts is expressed in terms of percentage inhibition. The decrease
in percentage of inhibition shows increased absorbance. The decrease in optical
absorbance at 517nm after addition of the test compounds is measured. The
percentage of DPPH radical scavenged for various extracts ranges from 14.47%
(chloroform extracts) to the maximum of 87.04% as in ethanol extract.
The ethanol extract exhibited a significant dose dependent inhibition of DPPH
activity, with a 50% inhibition (IC 50) at a concentration of 30µg. The results
of other extracts are given in the Table-4. The IC 50 value of ethanol extract
was found to be nearer to the IC50 value of standard Ascorbic acid. The free
radical scavenging is maximum with ascorbic acid >alcohol>chloroform
which is given in Table-2, Fig No-1.
Table-2: DPPH free radical scavenging activity
|
Conc of extract/std mcg/mL |
Ascorbic acid |
Chloroform extract |
Ethanol extract |
|
1 |
24.95±0.27 |
14.47±0.35 |
20.0±0.31 |
|
10 |
41.17±0.36 |
25.27±0.29 |
39.50±0.16 |
|
30 |
61.27±0.45 |
53.77.±0.42 |
53.35±0.45 |
|
50 |
80.35±0.78 |
77.53 ±0.47 |
84..80±0.23 |
|
100 |
90.25±0.38 |
80.12±0.22 |
87.04.±0.25 |
|
400 |
93.67±0.30 |
66.30±0.38 |
76.24.±0.29 |
|
800 |
96.68 +056 |
38.22±0.34 |
61.12+047 |
Fig No: 1 DPPH free radical scavenging
activity
Table-3 Superoxide anion free radical
scavenging activity
|
Conc of extract/std mcg/mL |
BHT |
Chloroform extract |
Ethanol extract |
|
1 |
24.98±0.12 |
15.65±0.25 |
27.43±0.28 |
|
10 |
40.08±0.18 |
17.55±0.29 |
38.85±0.37 |
|
30 |
61.32±0.23 |
25.68±0.32 |
55.43±0.49 |
|
50 |
83.05±0.15 |
29.25±0.73 |
69.87±0.11 |
|
100 |
92.18±0.09 |
39.07±0.33 |
83.00±0.45 |
|
400 |
94.57±0.15 |
43.20±0.25 |
86.53±0.31 |
|
800 |
97.58±0.32 |
48.54±0.32 |
88.75±0.42 |
Superoxide anion scavenging activity
The super oxide anion
scavenging activity of the crude extracts of the leaves is expressed in terms of percentage
inhibition. The ethanol extract is found to possess good scavenging activity on
super oxide anion at all concentrations under test. Ethanol extract at
concentrations range from 1-800µg/ml inhibited the production of super oxide
anion radical by 27.43% to 88.75 Table-3. On the other hand the
standard Butylated hydroxyl toluene showed
significant scavenging activity in a dose dependent manner. The greatest
scavenging activity was observed with BHT which effectively depressed the
formation of super oxide anion. The maximum inhibition of super oxide anion was
observed at 800µg/ml concentration and is 97.58% (Table-3,Fig-2). The super
oxide scavenging activity is least with chloroform extract and is 15.65 and
48.54% respectively. The ethanol extract showed the maximum scavenging of super
oxide free radicals of 88.75% at the dose of 800μg/ml.
Fig No: 2 Superoxide anion free radical
scavenging activity Lipid per oxidation inhibition activities.
The two extracts of the leaves of Rhynchosia beddomei
were subjected to lipid peroxidation inhibition
activity against non-enzymatic in vitro lipid peroxidation
in rat brain by the method of determination of thiobarbituric
acid reactive substances (TBARS). The malondialdehyde
formed as a result of lipid peroxidation induced by
ferric chloride reacts with thiobarbituric acid
releasing pink chromogen which indicates the extent
of lipid peroxidation. Inhibition of pink chromogen formed indicates inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The ethanol extract under test showed the low
absorbance values which indicates the highest level of antioxidant activity. It
showed the ability of free radical inhibition activity in a dose dependent
manner and maximum being 85.45% at
800µg/ml concentration. The absorbance is lesser than the chloroform extracts
(Table-4 & Fig No-3). The inhibitory activity of chloroform and BHT are 54.02%,
and 95.42% respectively. Interestingly, the activity exhibited by ethanol
extract is almost very close to the standard BHT.
Table-4: Lipid peroxidation
inhibition activity
|
Conc of
extract/std mcg/mL |
BHT |
Chloroform
extract |
Ethanol
extract |
|
1 |
25.00±0.34 |
13.21±0.25 |
22.33±0.46 |
|
10 |
41.83±0.6 |
18.32±0.28 |
35.17±0.38 |
|
30 |
59.83±0.19 |
26.21±0.24 |
46.78±0.44 |
|
50 |
81.22±0.26 |
29.17±0.21 |
66.88±0.27 |
|
100 |
87.40±0.10 |
34.28±0.36 |
74.77±0.22 |
|
400 |
91.90±0.33 |
43.17±0.42 |
81.30±0.28 |
|
800 |
95.42±0.23 |
54.02±0.54 |
85.45±0.32 |
Fig No: 3 Lipid peroxidation
inhibition activity Anti-inflammatory activity
Inflammation is caused by local release of prostaglandin,
histamine, bradykinin. Carrageen induces the
inflammation through the release of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandin, bradykinin and histamine [12] where as
5-hydroxytrypamine additionally increases the permeability of blood vessels for
various collagen . Phytochemical
investigation of the present study indicates the presence of phenolic acids and triterpenoids
in the extract of the leaves Rhynchosia beddomei, which are the potent antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory compounds. Hence the anti-inflammatory parameter is taken for
the present investigation. The ethanol extract showed anti-inflammatory
activity on the inflammation induced by carrageen indicating that the ethanol
extract inhibit all the endogenously released inflammatory mediators (such
prostaglandin, bradykinin and histamine).
The animals are pre treated orally with the extracts of
the leaves of Rhynchosia beddomei at the
doses of 400mg/kg, 800mg/kg and a known standard - Nimesulide
50mg / kg b. w. respectively. Among two extracts ethanol extract showed maximum
reduction in the paw volume induced by carrageen which is 1.00±0.025 when
compared to the standard Nimesulide 0.97±0.04. Paw
volume was maximum in the animals treated with, Chloroform extract showed a
little reduction in the paw volume 1.08±0.25when compared to the control
1.16±0.032 (Table-5 and Fig No. 4-9).
Table-5: Anti-inflammatory activity of the
leaf extracts of Rhynchosia
beddomei on Carrageenan (1%)
Induced Rat Hind Paw Edema
|
Groups |
Dose (mg/kg oral) |
Difference in Paw Oedema
Volume (Mean ± SEM) |
|
||||
|
0 Min. 30 Min. 60 Min. 120 Min. 240 Min. |
360 min |
||||||
|
Control |
0.5% Tween 80 |
1.15 ± 0.02 |
1.27 ± 0.025 |
1.35 ± 0.028 |
1.25 ± 0.029 |
1.20 ± 0.025 |
1.16±0.032 |
|
Standard Nimesulide |
50 |
0.97 ± 0.04** |
1.10 ± 0.06** |
1.14 ± .04** |
1.12 ± 0.03** |
0.96 ± 0.05** |
0.93±0.023** |
|
Chloroform extract |
400 |
1.13±0.03* |
1.25±0.032* |
1.33±0.032* |
1.24±0.032* |
1.20±0.03* |
1.12±0.042* |
|
Chloroform extract |
800 |
1.09 ± 0.05* |
1.24± 0.04* |
1.32 ± 0.04 |
1.24 ± 0.03* |
1.21± 0.04* |
1.08±0.023* |
|
Ethanol extract |
400 |
1.07±0.014* |
1.18±0.02* |
1.24±0.02* |
1.22±0.21* |
1.20±0.025* |
1..08±0.032* |
|
Ethanol extract |
800 |
1.04±0.032* |
1.14±0.023* |
1.20±0.24* |
1.15±0.24* |
1.14±0.012* |
1.00±0.025** |
Note: N = 6 animals; ** P< 0.01 – when compared with
control at respective time; * P
< 0.05 – when compared with control at respective time.
Fig no: 4 Fig
no: 5
Fig no: 6
Fig No: 7
Fig No: 8
Fig No: 9
Fig no: 4-9 Anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf
extracts of Rhynchosia beddomei
on Carrageenan (1%)
Induced Rat Hind Paw Edema
Croton oil induced ear edema
The topical anti-inflammatory
activities of Rhynchosia beddomei leaves were evaluated for chloroform and
ethanol extract for both doses 400 and 800 mg/kg b.w.
using inhibition of croton-oil-induced ear edema in mice. The percentage
inhibition ear edema (Table-6) of extract under test is compared with the
standard Indomethacin. The ethanol extract exhibited
considerable anti-inflammatory activity at 800mg/kg b.w.
which is 49.80% (Table-6, Fig:10S). In contrast, the chloroform
fraction showed a mild effect of 32.48%, indomethacin
appreciably inhibited the ear edema by 52.86%. The result demonstrates the
topical anti-inflammatory properties of Rhynchosia
beddomei leaves and justify the use of this plant
extracts for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Table No: 6 Anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf extracts
of
Rhynchosia beddomei on Croton
oil induced ear edema
|
Treatment |
Dose mg/kg |
edema degree |
Edema inhibition (%) |
|
Control |
_ |
7.85±0.86 |
_ |
|
Standard (Indomethacin) |
300 |
3.7±0.76** |
52.86 |
|
Chloroform |
400 |
5.48±0.73* |
30.19 |
|
Chloroform |
800 |
5.30±0.46* |
32.48 |
|
Ethanol |
400 |
4.60±0.32* |
41.40 |
|
Ethanol |
800 |
3.94±0.65** |
49.80 |
Note: N = 6 animals; ** P< 0.01 – when compared with
control at respective time; *P < 0.05 – when compared with control at
respective time.
Fig No: 10 Anti-inflammatory activity of the
leaf extracts of Rhynchosia beddomei on Croton oil
induced ear edema
DISCUSSION:
Free radical scavenging activity:
The free radical scavenging activity of
various extracts is expressed in terms of percentage inhibition. The decrease
in the percentage inhibition shows increased absorbance of DPPH, hence the compound
is said to be having less anti-oxidant potency. The scavenging properties of
anti-oxidants are often associated with their ability to form stable radicals.
DPPH has long been recognized as a convenient reagent to qualify anti-oxidants
in complex biological systems and has been widely used for this purpose [13][14]
.
The free radical scavenging activity of
ethanol extract is maximum when compared to chloroform extract which may be due
to the presence of high concentration of flavonoids, triterpenoids and phenolic acids
in the alcohol extract. Earlier reports also indicate the presence of phenolic acids, gallic acid and flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, luteolin and hesperidin in the alcohol extract [15][16] .
The compounds which contain hydroxyl groups may donate
hydrogen to free radical to reduce the DPPH radical. So many hydroxyl
containing compounds such as flavonoides, glycosides,
etc have been isolated from Rhynchosia species[17][18],
so these compounds also be present in Rhynchosia beddomei as per the reports phytochemical
investigations as shown in table no:3.
To confirm the free radical scavenging activity, the
superoxide anion scavenging activity of the crude extracts of Rhynchosia beddomei
were determined by NBT system. The ethanol extract showed the significant
scavenging scavenging activity and is almost equal to that of standard drug BHT the reason may
be due to the presence of flavonoids, triterpinoids and phenolic
compounds in the ethanol extract i.e., quercetin, rutin, luteolin and gallic acids as reported by earlier workers.
Lipid peroxidation
is another method of determining the free radical inhibition activity. Lipid
peroxides, derived from poly unsaturated fatty acids, are unstable and
decompose to form a complex series of compounds. These include reactive
carbonyl compounds. The most abundant among them is malondialdehyde
(MDA) and is one of the important secondary metabolite of lipid peroxidation. The concentration of MDA indicates the
measure of lipid peroxidation. The ethanol extracts
showed significant inhibition of lipid peroxidation
which indicates the less formation of TBARS and hence shows less absorbance.
But, the anti-oxidant properties of chloroform extract is less as they may
contain less quantity of phenolic compounds and other
active constituents as compared to ethanol extract. These reports confirm the
occurrence of potent antioxidants in the extracts of Rhynchosia
beddomei.
The results of antioxidant evaluation by
employing three important protocols such as, DPPH free radicals scavenging,
superoxide anion scavenging and lipid peroxide inhibition have clearly
indicated the strong occurrence of
active principles effectively involved in the removal of hazardous free
radicals in the in vitro conditions.
Anti-inflammatory activity:
Inflammation is caused by the release of
local hormones like prostaglandin, histamine and bradykinin.
Carrageen induces inflammation through the release of prostaglandin, bradykinin and histamine [28] where as hydroxytryptamine additionally increases the permeability
of total blood vessels for various collagen. The most widely used primary test
to screen new anti-inflammatory agents is to measure the ability of a compound
to reduce local edema induced in the rat hind paw by injection of an irritant
substance [10]Edema is due to the exudation of fluids and plasma
proteins and the migration of leucocytes, most notably neutrophils
and macrophages into the injured area [19]. Carrageenan
induced edema has been commonly used as an experimental model for the
determination of acute inflammation. The early phase
(1-2 hr) of inflammation in the carrageenan model is
mainly attributed to the release of histamine, serotonin and increased
synthesis of Prostaglandins into the surrounding area of damaged tissue. The
late phase is an accelerated phase of swelling, due to sustain release of
prostaglandins and other mediators of inflammation like bradykinin,
protease, leukotrines and infiltration of PMNS (Polymarphonuclear nutrophils) and
macrophages [20][21]. It has been reported that the second phase of
edema is sensitive to both steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
which is generally used to access the edematous effect of natural products[22][23]
. Prostaglandins play a major role in
the development of the secondary phase of reaction, which is measured at around
3 hr time [37]. Edema and pain are the characteristic signs of an
inflammatory response where the role of prostaglandins and histamine is well
established [24].
Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis
of prostaglandin from arachidonic acid and has two iso-types. COX-1 is responsible for producing the basal
levels of prostaglandin needed for gastrointestinal tract homeostasis, where as
COX-2 is an inducible enzyme which is involved in inflammatory events. Well
known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, ibuprofen
and naproxen inhibit COX-2[25]. The carrageen induced paw edema in
rats is known to be sensitive to cyclooxygenase
(COX-2) and has been used to evaluate the effect of anti-inflammatory agent
against PGE-2 production and on COX-2 protein and mRNA expression.
The development of carrageenan
induced inflammatory reactions in rats results from the activation of Kinin system, the accumulation of leukocytes and release of
several inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and cytokines[26]
. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α),
interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) or sequentially
released in the pleural exudates induced by carrageenan
in rats [27] . These cytokines cause chemotaxis
to attract granulocytes and monocytes at the site of
inflammation. The migrated leukocytes in turn produce cytokines such as
TNF-α and IL-1β and other pro-inflammatory mediators[27] .
IL-6 has been proposed as a crucial mediator for the development of carrageenan induced edema and further accumulation of
leukocytes at the inflammatory sites.
In the present study ethanol extract of the
leaves Rhynchosia beddomei
exhibits maximum protection against carrageen induced paw edema and is almost
nearing to the value of the volume when compared to control. The other extracts
chloroform show moderate reduction in the paw volume. The ethanol extract
800mg/kg b.w. significantly reduces the inflammation
due to the inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase
which is a basic substance for the synthesis of prostaglandin. From the result,
it is observed that there is a reduction in the paw volume at the second stage
i.e. after 60min of administration of carrageenan. [28]claimed
that the inhibitory effects of inflammatory agents that act on the first stage
of carrageenan induced hind paw inflammation are
attributed to inhibition of the release of chemical mediators such as histamine
and serotonin. They also claimed that the second stage of the hind paw edema
may be related to arachidonic acid metabolites since
it is inhibited by aspirin and other arachidonate cyclooxygenase inhibitors . Therefore, it is predicted that
the ethanol and chloroform extracts may reduce the carrageenan
induced paw volume largely in the later phase, which may be due to the
inhibition of enzyme arachidonate cyclooxygenase.
In this study, the Phytochemical investigation has
already shown the presence of flavonoides, triterpenoids and phenolic acids
in the ethanol and chloroform extracts which can be attributed to the maximum
reduction in the paw volume . As these compounds are potent anti-inflammatory
agents which may act in a similar way as that of the standard non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen[29]
.
CONCLUSION:
In the present study preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract of leaves of Rhynchosia beddomei
reveled the presence of flavonoids,
alkaloids, triterpenoids, saponins
and glycosides in alcohol extract and that of chloroform are alkaloids, triterpenoids, steroids, saponins
and glycosides.
Ethanol extract at the concentration of
800mg/kg b.w.
exhibits maximum protection against carrageen induced paw edema and is
almost nearing to the value of the standard indomethacin.
The other extracts chloroform show moderate reduction in the paw volume. Phytochemical investigation has already shown the presence
of flavonoides, triterpenoids
and phenolic acids in the ethanol and chloroform
extracts which can be attributed to the maximum reduction in the paw volume. As
these compounds are potent anti-inflammatory agents which may act in a similar
way as that of the standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such
as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen[30].
The
antioxidant and anti- inflammatory activity of the extracts may be due to the
presence of these phytochemical constituents. The
significant reduction in the paw volume of the plant extracts might be due to
the presence of active principles which inhibits the production of secondary
metabolites like prostaglandins.
In
conclusion the active constituents
present in ethanol and chloroform extract of the leaves of the plant Rhynchosia beddomei is
capable of inhibiting free radicals with
antioxidant and anti inflammatory
activities.
Though the ethanol
extract showed significant activity against the inflammation. It is necessary
to determine the exact compound responsible for this activity. Further work is
needed to determine the mechanism of antioxidant and anti- inflammatory
activity of the drug.
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Received on 04.07.2012
Modified on 15.07.2012
Accepted on 27.07.2012
© A&V Publication all right
reserved
Research J. Pharmacology and
Pharmacodynamics. 4(5): September
–October, 2012, 319-327