POTENT ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORYACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SARACAINDICABARK WITH MINIMAL CYTOTOXICITY

Abstract

This study contributes to the growing field of phytopharmacology by providing systematic evidence supportingthetherapeutic potential of Saraca indica bark, particularly its ethanolic extract, as a source of bioactive compoundswith antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study aimed to investigate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic properties of various solvent extracts of Saraca indica bark. The Soxhlet extraction technique wasutilized with solvents of varying polarity, and the extraction yield revealed ethanol as the most efficient solvent for extraction. A wide range of phytoconstituents—namely alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, glycosides, steroids, and terpenoids were predominantly present in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts, whereas non-polar extracts contained only trace amounts. Among the extracts tested, the ethanolic extract (AE) showed the highest scavenging activity through the NO radical scavenging assay with an IC50 value of 51.68 µg/mL, followed bytheethyl acetate extract, while the hexane extract showed negligible activity. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessedvia NO production inhibition in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Concentration-dependent reductioninNO production was observed with AE, indicating significant anti-inflammatory potential, though less potent thanthestandard dexamethasone. Through MTT assay, it was confirmed that AE was non-toxic to RAW264.7 cells, withcell viability remaining above 75% at the highest concentration and an IC50 value greater than 100 µg/ml. Overall, this research addresses key challenges in natural product research, including validation, safety assessment, andreproducibility, thereby contributing to the rational development of plant-derived therapeutics with potential applications in managing oxidative stress and inflammatory disorders.