Abstract

Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae) and Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) are two plants used to treat several human pathologies such as oxidative stress and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study is to assess anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity and acute oral toxicity, of aqueous and methanolic extracts from C. nucifera L. and C. papaya L. using appropriate experimental models. The acute oral toxicity test of extracts on mice was evaluated using Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines 423. The capacity of extracts to inhibit key inflammation enzymes such as 15-lipoxygenase, phospholipase A₂, cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 was evaluated in vitro. The antioxidant activity was assessed in vitro using four methods (inhibition of lipid peroxidation, FRAP, DPPH and ABTS tests). The phytochemical screening showed the presence of sterols and triterpenes, saponins, flavonoids, phenolics and tannins. Methanolic extract from C. nucifera exhibited higher values of 855.06 ± 1.71 mg GAE/ g, 418.22 ± 1.92 mg CE / g, 19.31 ± 0.6 mg GAE / g, 20.6 ± 0.36 mg QE / g dry extract respectively for phenolics, condensed tannins, hydrolysable tannins and flavonoid content. The extracts demonstrated antioxidant capacity, potential to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes and a lethal dose (LD₅₀) was estimated to 5000 mg/kg b.w. The results of this study constitute a solid scientific basis that can justify the traditional uses of these plants.

Key words: Cocos nucifera, Carica papaya, phytochemistry, acute oral toxicity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.