IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF CELERY

Bhaskar Reddy N., Bhavani B., Ramkishan A. and Swathi P.*

ABSTRACT

Celery (Apium graveolens) is an indigenous plant belongs to family Apiaceae. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous leaf extract of Apium graveolens (ALAG). The scavenging activity of ALAG was screened for superoxide, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and DPPH radicals using ascorbic acid as standard. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by using HRBC membrane stabilization assay and albumin denaturation assay using diclofenac as standard. The ALAG showed concentration dependent activity in superoxide, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The ALAG showed anti-inflammatory activity by stabilizing erythrocyte membrane and significant effect on denaturation of protein at a concentration range of 100-500μg/ml. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Apium graveolens might be due to the flavanoids, tannins and phenols.

Keywords: Apium graveolens, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory activity.