Evaluation of in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antiplatelet potential of Rhus mysorensis

Abstract

Since ancient times human beings are using plant-based medicines for the treatment of various ailments, especially in the rural areas, due to their availability and affordability. Rhus mysorensis (RM) is widely used as a traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Owing to its potential medicinal value, the present study was designed to explore the in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties of purified column fraction of RM. The methanol extract of stem bark powder was sequentially fractioned by solvent partitioning. The liquid methanol fraction was further fractionated by column chromatography using gradient elution. Eluted fractions were analyzed using HPLC for percentage purity and yield. The fraction with higher percentage of purity and yield was assessed for in vitro antioxidant activity by measuring SOD and GPx activities, anti-inflammatory activity by the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in LPS induced RAW264.7 cells, anticoagulation by plasma recalcification time and antiplatelet activity by agonists induced platelet aggregation respectively. The antioxidant potency of column fraction (B8) revealed that, highest enzyme activities were recorded at a concentration of 320µg/ml. The enzyme activity was found to be 2.45 U/ml for SOD and 135.75 U/L for GPx respectively. Purified column fraction (B8) of RM significantly reduces the production of NO in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cell lines at 320????g/ml concentration with 31.90% of inhibition. The anticoagulant activity of purified fraction was determined in terms of plasma recalcification time. Interestingly, the fraction showed the most potent anticoagulant activity both in PRP and PPP as it prolonged the clotting time. The findings indicate that the stem bark of RM possesses potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities, supporting the use of this species for treating oxidative stress-induced inflammatory diseases. Further, bioactivity guided fractionation studies to characterize and identify specific phytochemicals responsible for these biological activities are needed.