Pharmacological activities of saponin-containing fraction derived from Gleditsia caspica Desf. methanolic fruit extract

Phytochemical investigations of Gleditsia fruits have revealed the presence of triterpenoidal saponins. These saponins proved to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the saponin fraction derived from the methanolic extract of Gleditsia caspica fruits. The fraction at 31.5 and 63 mg/kg b.wt. reduced significantly the oedema induced by carrageenan. The dose 63 mg/kg b.wt. showed higher effect than that of indomethacin (10 mg/kg b.wt.). Further, the saponin fraction showed significant protective effect against complete Freund’s adjuvant induced arthritis. At the dose 63 mg/kg b.wt. the percentage inhibition was 39.2 versus 22.2 for the standard drug prednisolone (4 mg/kg b.wt.), respectively, on day 5 and 53.2 versus 46.7, respectively, on day 12. The analgesic activity results revealed that the saponin fraction at doses 45 and 90 mg/kg b.wt. possessed significant central analgesic activity. In acetic acid-induced writhing model, the fraction showed significant peripheral analgesic activity characterized by double effect in suppressing the number of writhes at dose 90 mg/kg b.wt. compared to acetyl salicylic acid (100 mg/ kg b.wt.). The antipyretic activity results demonstrated that the fraction at the two dose levels 31.5 and 63 mg/kg b.wt. had no effect. Acute and chronic toxicity tests showed that the fraction may be safe for pharmacological uses. These observations suggest possible therapeutic potential of the saponin fraction in the treatment of inflammation and pain.