In vitro screening of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities of plant extract Curculigo orchioides Gaertn

Wijesekara M. A.,1* Soysa P.1, Jayasena S.1, Kottahachchi D.U.2, Perera D.3, Jayasiri A.P.A.4, Gooneratne, L.V.1

Abstract

Curculigo orchioides Gaertn is a medicinal herb belonging to Amaryllidaceae family and is recognized as a potent source of biologically active compounds with many biological properties. The rhizome of the plant was used to prepare aqueous extracts in order to screen antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) were evaluated to determine the phytochemical composition of the extracts. Antioxidant activity was screened using different assays, DPPH, total antioxidant activity, inhibition of protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and deoxyribose oxidation and ferric ion reducing power. Anti-inflammatory activity was screened using human red blood cell membrane stability test and inhibition of protein denaturation assays. The TPC and TFC were 101.2±1.3 mg GA/g (Gallic Acid /g) and 178.4±2.4 mg EGCG/g (epigallocatechin gallate/g) respectively. The values of EC₅₀ for DPPH, inhibition of deoxyribose oxidation, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, inhibition of protein oxidation and inhibition of BSA denaturation assays were 25.6±1.6, 10.1±1.0, 29.0±0.7, 82.6±3.9 and 32.9±3.5 ug/mL respectively. Further, RCO extract showed less ferric ion reducing ability. CO demonstrated comparable values for EC₅₀ with Diclofenac sodium standard on membrane stabilizing activity (49.7±1.4 and 49.7±1.4 ug/mL respectively). Result of the study suggests that CO exerts antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory activities by stabilizing biological membranes.