Abstract

EVALUATION OF (INVITRO) ANTIOXIDANT AND IMMUNOMODULATORY ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AMARANTHUS SPINOSUS LINN. LEAVES

Rishikesh Sharma and Mr. Prabhat Singh Bais*

ABSTRACT

Objective: Methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinous leaves was screened for antioxidant and Immunomodulatory activity. Methods: Antioxidant activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazile (DPPH) free radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydroxyl free radical scavenging, nitric oxide radical scavenging, 2,2’-azinobis-3- ethylbenzothiazole-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays and total phenolic content was also determined. Immunomodulatory activity of methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinous leaves was evaluated on humoral and cell mediated immune response to ovalbumin, phagocytic activity by carbon clearance test, nitric oxide (NO) release from murine peritoneal macrophages and cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression. Significant increase in the NO production by mouse peritoneal macrophages was detected in culture supernatants indicated increased phagocytic activity of macrophages. The extract showed significant increase in phagocytic index by rapid removal of carbon particles from blood stream. The extract also increased the antibody titre against the ovalbumin and protection towards the cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression. However, the extract did not show any significant increase in delayed type hypersensitivity reaction which indicated the inability of the extract to stimulate T cells. Present study thus reveals that the extract holds promise as immunomodulatory agent, which acts by stimulating humoral immunity and phagocytic function. Results: Methanolic extract of A. spinosus showed potent antioxidant activity. The IC50 value was (87.50 a 3.52) mg/mL, (98.80 a 1.40) mg/mL, (106.25 a 0.20) mg/mL, (88.70 a 0.62). mg/mL and (147.50 a 2.61) mg/mL for DPPH, superoxide, hydroxyl, nitric oxide and ABTS radical scavenging activities. Methanolic extract of A. spinosus showed significant (P<0.01) Immunomodulatory activity.

Keywords: Methanolic extract of A. spinosus showed potent antioxidant activity.