Abstract

INVITRO EVALUATION OF PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF PAPAVER SOMNIFERUM SEEDS

Dr. V. Vennila*, Gayathri K., Monisha B., Nithya S., Darani V., Baranika V., Kowsiya M., Anusuya M.

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimitotic activities of the aqueous extract of Papaver somniferum seeds to evaluate their pharmacological potential. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined using the phosphomolybdenum method, revealing a strong concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity, with a maximum inhibition of 91.08% at 1000 μg/mL and an IC₅₀ value of 494.5 μg/mL, comparable to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 475.1 μg/mL). Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed through inhibition of albumin denaturation, where the extract exhibited significant inhibitory potential (97.22% at 1000 μg/mL) surpassing that of the standard drug diclofenac sodium (77.77%). Antimitotic activity was evaluated using the Vigna radiata seed germination assay, which showed a dose-dependent suppression of seed germination and root elongation, with 96.16% inhibition at 1000 μg/mL, similar to methotrexate (98.79%). These findings demonstrate that P. somniferum seeds possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties, likely due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. The study supports the traditional use of P. somniferum in herbal medicine and suggests its potential as a natural source of therapeutic agents against oxidative stress, inflammation and abnormal cell proliferation.

Keywords: Papaver somniferum; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity; antimitotic assay; Vigna radiata; phosphomolybdenum method; albumin denaturation; methotrexate; natural phytochemicals.