Vol 12, Issue 1, 2019 Online - 2455-3891 Print - 0974-2441 ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF PARTIALLY PURIFIED LECTIN FROM PRAECITRULLUS FISTULOSUS PHLOEM EXUDATES. MADHU CS, SHARADA AC* Department of Biochemistry, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, Mysuru, Karnataka, India. Email: sharadaac@gmail.com Received: 27 July 2018, Revised and Accepted: 29 August 2018 ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the present study is to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of a partially purified lectin from phloem exudates against paw edema mice model. Methods: Partially purified lectin was prepared by phloem exudates in phosphate buffer saline followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and dialysis. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined against carrageenan-induced mice model and inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production was determined. Results: Partially purified lectin exhibited promising anti-inflammatory activity at 50 mg/kg b.w. by reducing the edema volume significantly up to 64% (**p<0.01) against control mice. Decrease in myeloperoxidase activity and NO production in paw exudates was observed up to 55.90 (*p<0.05) and 47.22% (*p<0.05), respectively, and this supports the anti-inflammatory property of the partially purified lectin. Conclusion: This finding indicated that further studies needed to purify and characterize a novel lectin from Praecitrullus fistulosus for elucidating the molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity. Keywords: Inflammation, Lectin, Nitric oxide, Myeloperoxidase. INTRODUCTION Inflammation is an evolutionary process in the body gain a great benefit for maintaining homeostasis. The inflammation may cause due to a microbial infection, cellular damage, stress and other chemicals irritants, etc. [1]. Among vertebrates, the inflammatory cascade is a complex process associated with immunological, physiological, and behavioral responses associated with cytokines and other immunological signaling molecules [2]. The cascade mainly involves an increase in microvessel permeability, migration of cell types, the growth of new tissues, and blood vessels [3]. During inflammation, a diverse group of molecules or substances called as pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamines, bradykinins, nitric oxide (NO), serotonin, and prostaglandins was released. These substances may significantly contribute to the classical picture of heat, redness, pain, selling, and diminished function associated with inflammation and may cause hyperalgesia or allodynia [4]. Acute inflammation refers to the initial response of the immune system against foreign bodies and tissue injury. It is a rapid time-limiting process, mediated by various substances such as eicosanoids and vasoactive amines which significantly stimulate the plasma movement and leukocytes into the inflammation site [5]. During tissue inflammation, increases in vasodilatation and recruitment of capillaries and increases in vascular permeability cause extravasations of plasma to lead to tissue edema. This causes migration of leukocytes, especially neutrophils [6]. Free radical species such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) , NO, molecular oxygen (O 2 -), and superoxide radicals may significantly contribute to tissue inflammation. Especially, NO plays a key role in cell survival and cell death, cause pro-inflammatory effects on various immune and associated cells [7]. Increases in NO show the significant increases in macrophages in inflammatory sites. It has been reported that currently available anti-inflammatory drugs which include NSAIDs (nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs) and opioids were not functioning in all cases, due to their low potency. These drugs cause side effects on gastrointestinal complications such as ulcers, perforating, vomiting or nausea, bleeding, constipation, and cognitive impairment [8]. As a result, the identification or development of novel alternatives has necessary and beneficial [9]. Previous studies taken up by various research groups showed that the effect of plant- derived lectins can alter the immune system and thereby it blocks the inflammation cascade. Lectin from Caulerpa cupressoides possesses anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the leukocyte migration in a murine model of inflammation and lectin from Synadenium carinatum inhibits recruitment of immune cells to the lung in an asthma murine model by altering the expression of transcription factor necrosis factor (NF-kB) [10,11]. In the present report, we investigate the partially purified lectin; Praecitrullus fistulosus lectin-like protein (PfLP) which possesses anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice model. We also evaluate the NO content in paw homogenate tissues. Decreases in NO content in treated group support the anti-inflammatory activity of PfLP. In future dietary, lectin may play a key role to develop a novel therapeutics against various diseases associated with inflammation. METHODS Materials All the chemicals used in the present study were procured from Sigma- Aldrich and Hi-Media. Collection and authentication of plant material Samples were collected from local area farmers, Mysore, and authenticated by Dr. Sharvani K.A, Assistant professor, Department of Botany, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore, Mysuru. The herbarium (Accession number: YCM(UOM)0266) was prepared and deposited at the Department of Botany, Yuvaraja’s College, University of Mysore. © 2019 The Authors. Published by Innovare Academic Sciences Pvt Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4. 0/) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22159/ajpcr.2019.v12i1.28670 Research Article