ANTIOXIDATIVE AND PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF A ZINGIBERACEOUS HERB COSTUS SPECIOSUS (KOEN)

Sonali Sethi, Om Prakash*, M. Chandra, H. Punetha, M. Battra and A. K. Pant

ABSTRACT

Rhizomes of Costus speciosus was analyzed for antioxidative and pharmacological activities. Rhizomes were extracted by various solvents with different polarities using various antioxidant assay systems as compared to known standards. Methanolic and petroleum ether extracts revealed good antioxidative activity in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological and biochemical evidences indicated that methanolic extracts at dose level of 500 mg/kg possess significant hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 mediated tissue damage and imposed healthy effect on kidney function. The methanolic extract analyzed for antipyretic, anti-inflammatory activity and analgesic activities were noticed significant at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body wt. The methanolic extract at this level found to be comparable or slightly lesser as compared to known standard, ibuprofen. The present findings indicated that tested extracts have good source of flavonols imparting significant antioxidative and pharmacological activities.

Keywords: Analgesic, antioxidant, antipyeric, antiinflammatory, Costus speciosus.