©2018 Te Academy of Environmental Biology, India Journal of Ecophysiology and Occupational Health, Vol 18(3&4), DOI 10.18311/jeoh/2018/21062, 106-116, July-December 2018 ISSN (Print): 0972-4397 ISSN (Online): 0974-0805 Antioxidant and Anti-Apoptotic Activities of Phytochemically Validated Fruit Extract of Solanum xanthocarpum in Primary Chondrocytes Neelam Shivnath 1 *, Vineeta Rawat 1 , Sahabjada 1,2 , Asif Jafri 1 , Juhi Rais 1 Habiba Khan 1 , and Md. Arshad 1 * 1 Molecular Endocrinology Lab, Department of Zoology, University of Lucknow, Lucknow – 226007, Uttar Pradesh, India; neelamshivnath@yahoo.co.in; arshadm123@rediffmail.com 2 Department of Biochemistry, Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow – 226003, Uttar Pradesh, India Keywords: Apoptosis, Chondrocytes, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Osteoarthritis, Phytochemicals Abstract The chondrocyte death may contribute in progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Solanum xanthocarpum (Family: Solanaceae) fruits were known for antioxidant activity. This study demonstrates that the phytochemically validated Solanum xanthocarpum fruits (SXF) extract has inhibitory activities on nitric oxide (NO) induced cell death and ROS formation in primary cultured chondrocytes. Chondrocyte death was induced by 1.5 mM of Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP). The Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and nuclear changes were observed by DAPI and Hoechst-PI. Antioxidant activity of SXF was demonstrated in H 2 O 2 induced ROS generation in chondrocytes. Indomethacin (IM) (25μM), a NSAID was taken as positive control. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, anthraquinone glycosides, steroids, alkaloids, terpenoids and tannins. SXF significantly reduces the cell death induced by SNP in a dose dependent manner. The fluorescent photomicrograph of DAPI, Hoechst-PI and ROS also revealed the decreased rate of apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This study suggests that SXF shows anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activity in chondrocytes. *Author for correspondence 1. Introduction Osteoarthritis is associated with the breakdown and ultimate loss of articular cartilage of joints 1 and is commonly occurs among the elderly population in the world 2 . Several etiologi- cal risk factors like age, gender, trauma, overuse, genetics and obesity are associated with pathophysiologic processes that contribute disease progression 3 . In the pathological condition the cells of articular joints are subjected to complex envi- ronmental control. In addition to various cytokines, growth factors, and mechanical stimuli, reactive oxygen specie (ROS) contributes in pathological condition. Terefore, a functional change in chondrocytes of articular cartilage is related to the progression of OA 4 . Overproduction of oxidants (reactive oxy- gen species and reactive nitrogen species) in the human body is responsible for the pathogenesis of some diseases. Nitric Oxide (NO) and superoxide anion (O 2 − ) are the main ROS produced by chondrocytes 5 . ROS like superoxide anion (O 2 − ), Hydrogen Peroxide(H 2 O 2 ), and hydroxyl radicals (OH _ ) are the byproduct of aerobic metabolism 6 and are associated with principal oxidative stress molecules. Te enzyme complex NADPH catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to super- oxide anion radicals 4 . Te production of NO is stimulated by various cytokines including interleukin (IL)-β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and inhibited by Transforming growth factors (TGF)-β, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 7–9 . It is believed that NO is an important mediator of dediferentiation and apoptosis of chondrocytes in arthritic cartilage 10 . Non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs are commonly used drugs in the entire world for the treatment of osteoar- thritis. Long-term use of these NSAIDs leads to signifcant side efects on liver, stomach, gastrointestinal tract and heart 11 . Terefore it becomes essential to explore alternative medi-