Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity index of the aerial roots of Rhaphidophora aurea (Linden Ex Andre) intertwined over different host trees
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Date
2014
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Abstract
Rhaphidophora aurea is a common ornamental plant with aerial roots required for its support. It climbs over host trees and
sucks the nutrients of the host. A similar species Epiprenum pinnatum is reported to possess anticancer activity. The leaves of Rhaphidophora
aurea are toxic but there are no reports on the uses of aerial roots. The weird property of the aerial roots to twine over the host and suck its
nutrients persuaded us to explore the properties of the host and uncover the acquired therapeutic properties of the aerial roots of Rhaphidophora
aurea. Materials and methods: The antioxidant activity index of various solvent extracts of the aerial roots of Rhaphidophora aurea
intertwined over four different host trees were evaluated by DPPH radical scavenging method and reducing power assay. IC50, EC50 and
antioxidant activity index (AAI) were taken up for antioxidant assessment. The ethyl alcohol extract of the aerial roots of Rhaphidophora
aurea twined over Lawsonia inermis (MM) and Areca catechu (MB) were tested for anti-inflammatory activity in formalin induced Swiss
Albino mice paw oedema model and the paw thickness was measured each one hour upto six hours. Results and Conclusions: Among all the
extracts evaluated, the ethyl alcohol extract of the aerial roots of Rhaphidophora aurea twined over four host trees specially Azadirachta
indica (MN) exhibit higher antioxidant activity with a strong AAI (5.29) as compared to AAI (2.74) of standard Ascorbic acid. In formalin
induced inflammation model, the dose (100mg/kg) produced significant percentage inhibition of mice paw oedema compared to control group.
It can be concluded that alcoholic extract of aerial roots of Rhaphidophora aurea intertwined over four different host trees shows good in
vitro antioxidant and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and hence of good promise in pharmaceutical field.