Free Radical Scavenging Activity, Antioxidative Ingredients, and Possible Anti-inflammatory Abilities of Selected Traditional Medicinal Plants from Ayurveda

The ethanol extract (50%, v/v) of Smilax china Linn. (Smilacaceae), Barleria prionitis Linn. (Acanthaceae), Calotropis gigantea Linn. (Asclepiadaceae), Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (Papilionaceae), Ricinus communis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae), Curcuma amada Linn. Roxb. (Zingiberaceae), and Piper nigrum Linn. (Piperaceae) were evaluated for their free radical scavenging activity, antioxidative ingredients, and possible anti-inflammatory activity. All the plant extracts under study were found to be effective scavengers of DPPH radicals along with considerable reducing ability. Except for Ricinus communis and Piper nigrum, all other samples were active towards scavenging of OH radicals. Considerable amounts antioxidative substances such as Vit. C and phenolics were estimated from all the plant extracts under study. All the tested plant extracts showed considerable PPO inhibitory activity. Antiinflammatory related studies such as inhibition of dien conjugates, trypsin and β-glucuronidase were carried out. Significant inhibition of dien conjugate hydroperoxides was observed with all the plants under study. The plants under study were found to have poor to moderate anti-proteolytic activity towards trypsin induced hydrolysis of bovine serum albumin (BSA). With few exceptions all plants showed moderate inhibition of β-glucuronidase. In a critical situation wherein the standardization of herbal formulations has remained a key issue to be addressed to the consumers, the results of the present study may find useful for strengthening the process of standardization of Ayurvedic preparations involving the usage of medicinal plants considered in present studies.