Therapeutic Potential of Alstonia scholaris Latex in the Management of Inflammatory Diseases: An in vitro Approach

Background: The different parts of Alstonia scholaris (AS) viz. leaf, bark root, and latex are used traditionally to treat pain, swelling, stiffness, immune deficiency, malaria, ulcer, and arthritis. The traditional healers in Dhemaji district of Assam prescribe raw AS latex for topical treatment of inflammatory diseases. The unique feature of this study is that the AS latex has been evaluated scientifically for the first time for its anti-inflammatory properties. Objectives: The present investigation evaluates the anti-inflammatory potential of the AS latex in arthritis using in vitro assays. Materials and Methods: Anti-arthritic potential of AS latex was evaluated using in vitro assays of bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation, egg albumin denaturation, and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization. Results: It was observed that the standard diclofenac sodium and the AS latex showed good anti-arthritic potential. In BSA denaturation method, the latex, and diclofenac sodium showed 71.59% and 85.23% inhibition of proteinase enzyme at 250 μg/mL, respectively. In the egg albumin denaturation method, the latex, and standard showed the maximum percentage of inhibition of protein denaturation of 70.42% and 81.32%, respectively, at 250 μg/mL. In the HRBC membrane stabilization model, the latex produced considerable anti-arthritic potential in a concentration–dependent manner. At 250 μg/ mL in hypotonic solution, latex, and diclofenac sodium showed 68.77% and 72.12% membrane stabilization, respectively. Conclusion: The present investigation proved the antiarthritic activity of AS latex. It may also be used in the management of other inflammatory diseases.