In vivo and in vitro antioxidant activity of lipid based extract of Bacopa monniera Linn. compared to conventional extract and traditional preparation

Abstract 

Aim of the study

To investigate the antioxidant potential of solvent-free lipid extract of Bacopa monniera Linn. (LEBM) compared to that of a conventional extract, and a traditional preparation.

Materials and methods

LEBM was obtained by extracting B. monniera (BM) with Gelucire 50/13 (polyethylene glycol glycerides), a hydrophilic lipid. The effect of standardized LEBM, a methanolic extract of BM (MEBM), and Ayurvedic Ghrita of BM (AGBM) was comparatively assessed on rat brain superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GpX) activities following the oral administration of extracts, at the dose of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg for 14 days. In addition, the extracts were tested for in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, total reducing power, flavonoid content, polyphenolic contents, and anti-lipid peroxidation effects. The results were compared to those of standard antioxidants such as BHA, and l-ascorbic acid.

Results

LEBM exhibited a significant increase (p<0.001) in the antioxidant enzyme activity compared to MEBM and AGBM, and the effect was dose-dependent. All the tested samples showed marked in vitro antioxidant activity, of which LEBM showed prominent activity. LEBM showed significant (p<0.01) (DPPH) free radical scavenging (63.87%), hydrogen peroxide scavenging (58.03%), and lipid peroxidation (63.3389%) at the concentration of 1000μg/ml.

Conclusions

LEBM, even with lesser concentration of bacoside A, exhibited better antioxidant potential than MEBM, and was free of the shortcomings of conventional extracts; hence, it will be an alternative of greater importance in the future.

Keywords: Bacopa monniera Linn., Antioxidant, Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Free radical scavenging, Lipid peroxidation