Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Aerva pseudotomentosa leaves.

Context:Aerva pseudotomentosaBlatt. & Hallb. (Amaranthaceae), commonly called ‘Bui’, is a medicinal plant of the arid region. It is used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatic pain, and healing of wounds, which are associated with oxidative stress. Objective:The present study evaluated the antioxidant potential ofAerva pseudotomentosaleaves byin vitromodels and its anti-inflammatory effect in rats. Material and methods:The aqueous extract (APAE) was analyzed by HPTLC and HPLC. The antioxidant effect of APAE was evaluated by variousin vitromethods [DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazil) and hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging, reducing power, and anti-lipid peroxidation assays]. Anti-inflammatory effect was studied in carrageenan and formalin-induced paw oedema models in rats. APAE (200 and 400 mg/kg) and standard drug, indomethacin (10 mg/kg), were administered orally 1 h before carrageenan/formalin administration and inflammation was noted up to 5 h. Results:HPLC analysis of APAE revealed the presence of rutin. APAE showed significant scavenging effect on DPPH (IC5049.37 μg/mL) and peroxide (IC50288.2 μg/mL) radicals. The extract exhibited reducing potential and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. APAE treatment significantly attenuated mean increase in paw volume and exhibited inhibition of paw oedema in bothin vivomodels with inhibition of 45.11% and 49.42%, respectively at 5 h. Discussion and conclusion:APAE exhibitedin vitroantioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Anti-inflammatory effect of APAE may be attributed to its antioxidant potential, due to the presence of rutin and other phenolics. This study substantiates folk use of leaves in inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]