Comparison of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Leaves, Stem, and Seeds of Ruta chalepensis from South India

Background/Objectives

Ruta chalepensis is a herb with many health benefits due to the abundance of secondary metabolite compounds, including both terpenoids and nonterpenoids. Comparative information on effects from individual plant parts is lacking, and we have tried to analyse the Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from stem, leaves, and seeds.

Materials and Methods

Fresh plants were collected from a village in Nilgris in Tamil Nadu, and leaves, stems, and seeds were segregated and shade-dried for extract preparation. FTIR analysis was done for the three. Anti-inflammatory effects were analysed by Bovine Serum Albumin denaturation assay (BSA assay), Egg albumin denaturation assay, and Membrane Stabilization Assay. Antioxidant assays were DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) Assay, FRAP (ferric reducing-antioxidant power) Assay, ABTS (2,2-azo-bis 3 ethylbenz -thiozoline -6-sulfonic acid) Assay, Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decomposition assay-ROS scavenging activity, and Nitric oxide scavenging activity - Griess reaction assay. Cytotoxicity was tested using the Brine shrimp Nauplii Mortality assay.

Results

All three parts had good anti-inflammatory effects when compared with the standards. Seeds had the highest and stems the lowest. Antioxidant assay results were also comparable with the standards, but leaves had a slightly higher effect. Free hydroxyl groups in stems and more bound in leaves indicates as seen by FTIR analysis, indicate a faster antioxidant effect by stem extracts but a stable effect of leaves. Stems showed no cytotoxic effect, and with leaves and seeds, more than 80% of Nauplii were alive even on day 2 of the cytotoxic assay.

Conclusion

All three parts studied showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The possibly faster antioxidant effect of the stem needs further exploration. The higher anti-inflammatory effect of seeds may be beneficial in the preparation of concentrated formulations.