In vitro Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of the Siddha Formulation Serankotai Nei

Abstract

   Serankotai Nei is made of purified Semecarpus anacardium nuts mixed with milk and ghee has long been credited to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.  The pharmacology of this formulation is unproven. The current research gives the confirmation of its dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions using the standardized in vitro experiments. Three complementary models such as Protein denaturation inhibition, Human Red Blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization, and Lipoxygenase (LOX) activity inhibition were used to measure the anti-inflammatory activity. The antioxidant potential was determined with DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, ABTS, and nitric oxide radical scavenging assay at 10–100 mg/mL. Serankotai Nei was found to have a high level of protection at 100–500 mg/mL with up to 89% inhibition of protein denaturation, 84% stabilization of HRBC membranes, and 78% LOX inhibition, similar to the standards of diclofenac sodium and NDGA. The formulation had high dose dependent activity with IC50 value of 2248 mg/mL, which corresponds to standard antioxidants.The results of the study support that Serankotai Nei has a strong dual effect. This bifunctional effect has therapeutic benefits in complex disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, in which oxidative stress and inflammation go hand in hand.