Membrane stabilizing evaluation of non-polar and polar fractions from Trigonella foenum-graecum (Linn.)in arthritic rats

Abstract

Objective: The present study was aimed to assess the anti-arthritic activity of petroleum ether and n-butanolic fraction of Trigonella foenum-graecum (Linn.) seed extract against Freund’s complete adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Materials and Methods: Methanolic extract of T. foenum-graecum (Linn.) seeds were fractionated in various organic solvents and on the basis of results of in vitro protein denaturation and proteinase inhibitory activity (data not shown here), petroleum ether and n-butanolic fractions were selected for anti-arthritic activity. The active petroleum ether and n-butanolic fraction were administered at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. The effects of both fractions on liver alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase levels and malondialdehyde, glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from articular cartilages in arthritic animals were studied. Prednisolone (10 mg/kg) was used as a standard. Results: In arthritic rats, the petroleum ether and n-butanolic fraction showed a highly significant reduction in paw volume (100 mg/kg - 68.37 and 75.21%) (P<0.01, 0.001). Membrane marker enzymes and oxidative free radicals were significantly decreased in the both fraction treated groups and GSH and SOD activities were significantly increased compared with the arthritic control. Among these two active fractions, n-butanolic fraction showed best activity as compared to petroleum ether fraction. Conclusion: The n-butanolic fraction of T. foenum-graecum (Linn.) seed extract significantly reduced the level of antioxidant enzymes as well as membrane stabilizing markers. The possible mechanism may be due to both stabilizing actions of membrane marker enzymes or inhibition of oxidative free radicals