Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Activities of Phytochemically Validated Fruit Extract of Solanum xanthocarpum in Primary Chondrocytes

The chondrocyte death may contribute in progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Solanum xanthocarpum (Family: Solanaceae) fruits were known for antioxidant activity. This study demonstrates that the phytochemically validated Solanum xanthocarpum fruits (SXF) extract has inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) induced cell death and ROS formation in primary cultured chondrocytes. Chondrocyte death was induced by 1.5 mM of Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP). The Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and nuclear changes were observed by DAPI and Hoechst-PI. Antioxidant activity of SXF was demonstrated in H₂O₂ induced ROS generation in chondrocytes. Indomethacin (IM) (25μM), a NSAID was taken as positive control. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, anthraquinone glycosides, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids and tannins. SXF significantly reduces the cell death induced by SNP in a dose dependent manner. The fluorescent photomicrograph of DAPI, Hoechst-PI and ROS also revealed the decreased rate of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This study suggests that SXF shows anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activity in chondrocytes