The bark of the Indian soapberry can be used to treat inflammatory diseases

Indian soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi) is known for its rich anti-inflammatory saponin content. A study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine investigated the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties of several fractions of Indian soapberry extracts.

• The powder from the stem bark of S. mukorossi was extracted with methanol (SMM), and was fractioned into n-hexane (SMH), chloroform (SMC), ethyl acetate (SME), n-butanol (SMB) and aqueous (SMA) fraction fractions.
• The researchers analyzed the phenolic and flavonoid content of the various extracts and fractions gathered. The also performed in vitro antioxidant assays.
• To test the extract’s anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties, the researchers put a rat model through several tests.
• The phenolic contents of the various fractions varied but stayed at a range between 252.3 ± 2.41 mg of Gallic Acid Equivalent per gram (GAE/g) and 594.16 ± 4.3 mg of GAE/g. The total flavonoid content was at 11.02 ± 1.3 mg of RUE/g to 96.9 ± 3.2 mg of RUE/g.
• Antioxidant assays confirmed the extracts’ ability to scavenge free radicals and their reducing power, among others.
• The rat model showed that SMA at 300 mg/kg was able to inhibit carrageenan-induced paw edema. The same dosage also exhibited effective analgesic effects in the hot plate test and decreased the rat model’s rectal temperature in brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia.

The researchers concluded that the extracts of the Indian soapberry have potent and therapeutic anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties.

Find the full text of the study at this link.

For natural remedies against inflammation, go to Remedies.news.

Journal Reference:

Shah M, Parveen Z, Khan MR. EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANALGESIC AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITIES OF THE STEM BARK OF SAPINDUS MUKOROSSI. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017;17(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-2042-3