In­vitro antioxidant and anti­inflammatory activity of methanol extract of oxalis corniculata linn

TLDR: Methanol extract of the whole plant of Oxalis corniculata Linn (Family: Oxalidaceae) was assessed for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity by using in-vitro methods.

Abstract: Methanol extract of whole plant of Oxalis corniculata Linn (Family: Oxalidaceae) was assessed for its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity by in­vitro methods. Antioxidant activity was studied using 1, 1‐Diphenyl‐2‐Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. Inhibition of lipid peroxidation was studied by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) method on isolated rat liver tissues. Quantitative analysis of antioxidative components like total amount of phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols were estimated using spectrophotometric method. In­vitro anti‐inflammatory activity was evaluated using albumin denaturation assay, membrane stabilization assay and proteinase inhibitory activity at different concentrations. Aspirin was used as a sta ndard drug for the study of anti‐ inflammatory activity.  Linear regression analysis was used to calculate IC50 value. Results showed that, the extract exhibited significant DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity with IC50 v alue of 302.93±4.17 and 73.07±8.28µg/ml respectively. Lipid peroxidation induced by the Fe2+, was inhibited by the extract with IC50 value 58.71±2.55µg/ml. Total phenol content was estimated as 25.62±0.10mg of gallic acid equivalents of dry extract. Total flavonoids and flavonols were found to be 150.88±12.61 and 150.16±2.16 mg of rutin equivalents per gram of dry extract respectively. Extract also showed in­vitro anti‐inflammatory activity by inhibiting the heat induced albumin denaturation and Red Blood Cells membrane stabilization with the IC50 values of 288.04±2.78 and 467.14±9.56µg/ml respectively. Proteinase activity was also significantly inhibited by the extract (IC50=435.28±5.82µg/ml). From the results, it is concluded that flavonoids and related polyphenols present in the O. corniculata extract may be responsible for the activity.