Abstract

EVALUATION OF MEDICINAL ACTIVITES OF COSTUS SPECIOSUS

*Indu Sanadhya, Annika Durve, Meeta Bhot, Jossy Varghese and Naresh Chandra

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the antioxidant, antiinflammatory and an anti-viral activity of Costus speciosus leaves extract through in vitro bioassay analysis. Antioxidant activity was studied by in vitro biochemical assays, anti-inflammatory by human RBC membrane stabilisation in vitro assay and anti-viral through haemagglutination and anti-haemolysis of human RBCs methods. The results were found to be positive for all the assays and reveal the use of Costus speciosus as a good herbal source of antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-viral agent. TLC fingerprinting data reveals that the positive results of Costus speciosus leaves extract for medicinal properties may be due to presence of separated phytochemicals.

Keywords: Costus speciosus, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, TLC.