ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS FOR ANTI-OXIDATIVE AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Abstract

Objective: This particular study was aimed to evaluate the anti-oxidant effect of Pleurotus ostreatus using the in vitro method and also against inflammation. Methods: A methanolic extract of P. ostreatus (MEPO) was prepared by the cold maceration technique. Different tests. In vitro anti-oxidant activity was investigated using the 1,1-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method. Wistar rats were chosen for the study; animals weighing 150–200 g were divided into six groups of six each (n=6). Control animals were grouped as I, group II was administered with approximately 100 μL of 1% suspension of carrageenan in saline and injected into the plantar surface of the right hind paw, group III, IV, V, and VI were given with carrageenan, followed by diclofenac sodium (150 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) and MEPO at the dose of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg orally for 21 days. The paw volume and percentage of inhibition of the paw were measured in all animals. Results: The IC50 values of the test extract in the DPPH free radical scavenging assay were found to be 44.02±0.09 as compared with the standard drug 35.01±0.12, which was considered significant (***p<0.001). The test extract at the dose of 400 and 800 mg/kg significantly decreased (**p<0.001) the paw volume thereby, the inflammation, the % percentage of inhibition in paw volume was compared to the positive control in the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Conclusion: The study explored a potential source for anti-oxidants in the MEPO, which also seems to be effective in chemical-induced inflammation.