Antistress and antioxidant effects of borago officinalis leaves

Abstract

The ethanolic extract of Borago offinalis (BO) (10, 25, 50 mg/kg, p.o) was tested for its Adaptogenic activity by using forced swimming test and invitro antioxidant activity by using 1, 1- Diphenyl, 2-Picryl – hydrazyl free radical, Nitric oxide scavenging activity and reducing power method.  In antistress activity, pretreatment with BO extract significantly reduced the immobility time at 50 mg/kg was comparable to that of imipramine (20 mg/kg, i.p) treated group. Under invitro 1, 1- Diphenyl, 2-Picryl – hydrazyl free radical and nitric oxide free radicals are considerably inhibited in a dose dependent manner and there is increase in absorbing power indicates increase in reducing power. The results suggest that it could be used for the treatment of oxidative stress induced disorder.

Key words: Borago officinalis, Adaptogenic, Antistress, Antioxidant