Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Cayratia trifolia

Introduction: Cayratia trifolia is a plant belonging to the family Vitaceae and genus Cayratia. Anti-inflammatory activity is the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation or swelling. Antioxidants are defined as substances that delay or inhibit oxidative damage to a target molecule and its principal function is its ability to trap free radicals. The alcoholic leaf extract of Cayratia trifolia has anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant properties against inflammations and swelling and DPPH free radicals respectively and can be evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo assays. The principal aim of the study is to employ in-vitro assays to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Cayratia trifolia.

Materials and Methods: Plant extract of Cayratia trifolia was purchased and tested for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In case of evaluating the antioxidant activity, the methanolic extract of the plant was utilised. The examination of the anti-inflammatory properties of Cayratia trifolia involves acetyl salicylic acid as a positive control and aspirin and aspirin was employed as a standard anti-inflammatory drug.

Results: The anti-inflammatory activity of Cayratia trifolia extract was examined and it was observed that the plant extract showed an increased percentage of inhibition of trypsin with increasing concentration. Similarly, the antioxidant activity was compared to Vitamin C and the percentage of inhibition of DPPH free radicals increased with the increase in concentration of the extract.

Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, the plant extract of Cayratia trifolia was observed to possess both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.