Potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of hydroalcoholic extract of Areca catechu L. nut

The hydroalcoholic extract of Areca catechu L (ANE) nut was screened for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant potential. Three doses of ANE (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg orally) were tested for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Evaluation of analgesic activity of ANE was performed using hot plate and formalin test in mice. ANE showed maximum increase in hot plate reaction time (56.27%, p < 0.01), while reduced the duration of licking/biting behaviors in first (39.45%, p < 0.05) and second (92.71%. p < 0.01) phases of the formalin test indicating significant analgesic activity. ANE reduced the paw edema considerably (86.79% inhibition after 24 h, p < 0.01) in dose-dependent manner compared to carrageenan-induced rat. In addition, in vitro antioxidant activity of ANE was investigated by total phenolic content (TPC) and hydrogen peroxide assay. The IC50 observed in hydrogen peroxide assay was 83.14 mu g/ml and TPC 120.56 +/- 21.09 mg QE/g. Altogether, these results suggest that the hydroalcoholic extract of Areca catechu could be considered as a potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.