Assessment of anti-arthritic, antiâ€inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Melia dubia

The present investigation deals with the phytochemical screening, anti-arthritic, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant potentials of ethanolic fruit extract of Melia dubia. Phytochemical screening studies of the extract showed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides and tannins. Evaluation of total phenolic contents revealed that the extract contains 142.8 mg/g of phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated through DPPH assay and reducing power assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was confirmed in a DPPH assay. The extract showed the stronger radical scavenging effect with IC50 value of 55.4μg /ml. The reducing power of the extract observed was concentration dependent which is comparable with the standard antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The plant exhibited good anti-arthritic activity in a dose dependent manner. The extract showed highest inhibitory activity of 81.2% with an IC50 value of 58.2 μg/ml. Likewise, the fruit extract of Melia dubia showed strong anti‐inflammatory activity in a concentration dependent manner with an IC50 value of 52.6 μg/ml.