Abstract

ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF THE LEAVES OF SRI LANKAN VARIETY OF FLACOURTIA INERMIS

Srianthie A. Deraniyagala* and Hettige Dharmasiri Chathushka Devindi

ABSTRACT

Despite the advances in modern medicine, plant-based remedies are gaining much interest due to the toxicity that may be associated with synthetic drugs. This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous leaf extract of the Sri Lankan variety of Flacourtia inermis (ALEFI). According to the results, the total phenolic content was 464.2 ± 24.3 mg (PGE) / g and the total flavonoid content was 578.7 ± 89.6 mg (QE) / g. (PGE = Pyrogallol equivalence, QE = Quercetin equivalence). The 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of ALEFI was between 17.6% – 49.5% whereas ascorbic acid ranged between 24.8% - 76.4% in the concentration range of 50 μg/mL – 250 μg/mL.
ALEFI also showed a promising ferric reducing power compared to ascorbic acid. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activity of ALEFI was ranged from 8.2% to 34.3% while ascorbic acid showed values between 12.1% - 61.2% in the concentration range of 10 mg/mL - 50 mg/mL. The nitric oxide radical scavenging activity was reported between 10.4% - 38.4% for the extract while ascorbic acid showed values between 13.0% - 42.0% in the concentration range of 10 μg/mL – 50 μg/mL. The percentage protection of human red blood cell membrane stabilization assay of ALEFI was between 4.1% - 39.3% with ascorbic acid giving a range of 26.6% - 59.2% in the concentration range of 100 μg/mL – 500 μg/mL. These results illustrate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of ALEFI.

Keywords: Flacourtia inermis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, DPPH.