Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic actity of Asparagus acutifolius extract

KASTURE S;KASTURE A;BALLERO, MAURO;MAXIA, ANDREA

2009-01-01

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Abstract

Although many species of Asparagus have been studied scientifically and shoots are used in the diet of Sardinians, there is very little literature available on the medicinal uses of Asparagus acutifolius Linn. The acetone-ethanol (1:1) extract was screened for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic activities. The extract showed good anti-oxidant activity in DPPH, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide radical assays. The extract also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity in the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and adaptogenic activity in the milk induced leucocytosis assay in rats. The results of the present study suggest need to investigate other pharmacological activities of Asparagus acutifolius.