Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of Cucumis sativus seed extract

Abstract

In the present study antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of the methanolic extract of Cucumis sativus seeds was evaluated. Extraction of the seeds was carried out using solvents of increasing polarity. The free radical scavenging activity of all the extracts was measured by DPPH and H2O2 methods. Methanolic extract of the seeds had shown significant antioxidant activity as compared to chloroform and ethyl acetate extract. Hence, methanolic extract of C. sativus seeds (MECS) at a dose level of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg was further evaluated for its in vivo anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan induced rat paw edema and analgesic activity by tail flick and tail immersion methods. Results were obtained in a dose dependent manner. MECS (300 mg/kg) had shown significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity as compared to diclofenac sodium and morphine, respectively. From the results it may be concluded that MECS have good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential.