Phytochemical and comparative biological studies of Baccaurea ramiflora (Lour) extract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical and in vitro antioxidant activity along with central nervous system (CNS) depressant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Baccaurea ramiflora fruits. Qualitative phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloid, steroid, saponin, phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Total phenolic and flavonoid content measured by Folin-Ciocalteu and Aluminium chloride method was observed maximum for peel (93.05 ± 0.33 mg GAE /gm and 34.33 ± 0.24 mg CA /gm of dried extract respectively. In DPPH assay method, peel showed significant (P < 0.05) antioxidant activity based on IC50 value. Total antioxidant capacity and reducing power assay result also demonstrated potential antioxidant capacity of B. ramiflora peel. The seed with flesh extract significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited writhing 46.51% induced by acetic acid in mice at 200 mg/ kg doses. The anti-inflammatory activity measured by carrageenan induced mice paw edema was observed significant (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) at 2nd, 3rd and 4th hour. The percent of inhibition of peel and seed at 200 mg/ kg dose was 36.19% and 36.73% which was very close to standard Ibuprofen (37.80%). Our investigation also revealed significant reduction of locomotor activity of mice in open field and whole cross test at 25 and 75 mg/kg doses compared to standard diazepam at 5 mg/kg. Based on present study, it could be accomplished that B. ramiflora may be the promising source of natural antioxidant as well as for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and CNS depressant agent.