Immunomodulatory, antiglycation and anti-ulcerative properties of Ruellia squarrosa Fenzl Acanthaceae

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the immunomodulatory, antiglycation and anti-ulcerative properties of Ruellia squarrosa Fenzl. Acanthaceae. Methods: Aerial parts and roots of Ruellia squarrosa were collected and extracted by maceration using dichloromethane and methanol as solvents. Luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay was used to evaluate immunomodulatory activity while antiglycation assay was performed by fluorescence method with rutin as standard. Anti-ulcerative activity was evaluated by enzymatic methods, namely, urease inhibition and carbonic anhydrase inhibition assays. Results: Dichloromethane extract showed immunomodulatory activity with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 39.48 ± 8.06 % using ibuprofen as standard and antiglycation effect (IC50 = 382.21 ± 3.43) using rutin as standard. The methanol extract of the aerial parts of the plant showed urease inhibition activity (IC50 = 130.2 ± 0.57) using thiourea as standard. The methanol extract of the aerial parts of the plant also showed carbonic anhydrase inhibition activity (IC50 = 1656.7 ± 0.08) using acetazolamide as standard. Conclusion: It was concluded from the present study that aerial and root extracts of the Ruellia squarrosa have significant immunomodulatory, antiglycation and anti-ulcerative properties.