title: Free radical scavenging: a possible mechanism of action for the anti-inflammatory activity of Russelia equisetiformis (Schlect & Chan) (Scrophulariacae).
abstract: The methanol extract of Russelia equisetiformis (MRE), which exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity, was evaluated for the possible mode of action by studying its antioxidant potential in adjuvant- induced arthritic rats. 1, 1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect was determined by spectrophotometric method. The enzymatic activity of the superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, showed a significant increase, while the lipid peroxide content was found to decrease to a large extent in MRE and indomethacin-treated rats. There was also significant and concentration-dependent increase in the percentage inhibition of DPPH, comparable to that of vitamin E and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) which are natural and synthetic antioxidants, respectively. The results obtained in the present study indicate that MRE possesses free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Osogbo Campus, Ogbomoso, Nigeria. awemman@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: Emmanuel Olorunju
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Awe
authors.forename: Olatunbosun S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Banjoko
authors.forename: Modupe J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Makinde
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D028083:Scrophulariaceae
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl