IN-VITRO AND EX-VIVO STUDIES ON THE ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIARTHRITIC PROPERTIES OF CAMELLIA SINENSIS, HIBISCUS ROSA SINENSIS, MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA, ROSA SP., ZINGIBER OFFICINALE TEA EXTRACTS

The adverse effects of oxidative stress have been discussed widely in the present day. It is the main cause of protein denaturation, cardiovascular diseases, ageing, etc. Thus, the daily requirement of anti-oxidants has to be fulfilled through dietary sources. Inflammation is yet again another form of stress on the body. It is the major cause of multiple chronic disorders. It can lead to the formation of many other disorders such as arthritis, asthma, macular degeneration, etc. Arthritis is one such inflammatory disorder which is associated with swelling of joints, joint pain, etc. This research was based on the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of tea extracts such as Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Rosa, Zingiber officinale, Matricaria chamomilla. Ex-vivo tests for evaluating antioxidant property of samples using liver tissue by LPO assay was performed. In addition, tests such as inhibition of protein denaturation and RBC membrane stabilization were performed to determine anti-inflammatory effect of the sample. Collagen denaturation assay using chicken collagen to check anti-arthritic properties of samples were performed. All the tests showed positive results with the samples, which implied that the samples were potent in their anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities. Thus, the use of natural sources to prevent disorders has become a more feasible option as there are no adverse effects. Although, there is further scope for research in this area and contribute to the ethnopharmacological field of medicine.