EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMTORY ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOLANUM NIGRUM FRUITS

Abstract

Introduction: Solanum nigrum (Linn)  is known as Makoy and Black night shade. It is found in India and in cultivated ground. This plant has been reported for hepatoprotective, antibacterial,  antimicrobial, antiseptic, narcotic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, CNS depressant, molluscidal, antiulcer, cardiac depressant, immunomodulatory and antioxidant activities. It is widely used as expectorant, anodyne, vulnerary, digestive, laxative, diuretic, cardiotonic, depurative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, swelling, wounds, ulcer, dyspepsia, ophthalmic disorder, vomiting, cardiac disorder, leprosy, skin disease, fever, splenomegaly, hemorrhoids, hoarseness, nephropathy, dropsy, gonorrhea.Leaves are use as poultice for rheumatic an gouty joints, decoction of berries and flower useful in cough, erysipelas, rat bite, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, fever, diarrhea, ophthalmopathy and hydrophobia. Root bark is useful in diseases of ear, eye, nose and hepatitis. Material and methods: For anti-inflammatory activity adult wister rats of both sexes weighing between 200-250g was used for experiment. Group-1 received 0.5% CMC suspension (control) group 2, 3 and 4 received methanolic extracts (125, 250 and 375 mg/kg) of S. nigrum respectively. Group 5 received diclofenac (reference standard 1mg/kg). The antioxidant activity of the fruit of S. nigrum was determined by using a method based on the reduction of methanolic solution of colored free radical 1, 1 di phenyl-1-2 picryl hydrazyl (DPPH). Result and discussion: Methanolic extract of Solanum nigrum Linn. fruit has shown antioxidant activity in vitro DPPH Method. The methanolic extract of S. nigrum (375 mg/kg) prevented the formation of edema induced by carrageenan and thus showed significant anti-inflammatory activity (p<0.05). Conclusion: The data collectively indicates that methanolic extract of Solanum nigrum fruits have potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.