EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AMOMUM MASTICATORIUM THWAITES (ZINGIBERACEAE)

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the methanol extract of Amomum masticatorium rhizome were observed in various experimental models. Phytochemical constituents like phenols and flavonoids were also estimated. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays. The extract showed significant antioxidant activity. The in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was investigated by various methods viz. albumin denaturation, membrane stabilization, and proteinase inhibitory assays. Results showed that the extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the heat-induced albumin denaturation with IC₅₀ value 34.15 ± 0.404µg/ml, effectively stabilized RBC membrane with an IC₅₀ value of 51.47 ± 1.56 µg/ml and significantly inhibited proteinase activity with an IC₅₀ value of 52.8 ± 0.61µg/ml. In-vivo activity was evaluated in carrageenan and formalin-induced paw edema test in mice and compared with that of standard drug diclofenac. In both models, the extract showed a significant reduction in edema. The extract at 200 mg/kg b. wt showed a significant reduction in carrageenan-induced paw edema at a 3^rd h and chronic edema on the 6^th day. From the results, it is concluded that methanol extract of Amomum masticatorium rhizome exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, which may be due to the presence of active phytochemicals in it.