Antidiabetic, Analgesic, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potentials of Methanol Extracts of Fruits and Shoots of Brassica oleracea L. Var. Italic.

Background: Brassica oleracea L. var. italic conjointly known as “broccoli” is a crucial ayurvedic medication in traditional medicine mostly cultivated in Italy, France, England and USA. The aim of the present research work was to determine the antidiabetic, analgesic, antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of fruits and shoots of broccoli.

Methods: In this study, antidiabetic activity was investigated using alloxan induced diabetic model. Analgesic activity was manifested using acetic acid-induced writhing reflex. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH scavenging method while antimicrobial activity screening was carried out by disc diffusion method.

Results: Qualitative phytoanalysis of methanol extracts assured the existence of flavonoids and tannins etc. Moreover, it contains mild antibacterial and antioxidant activity where IC50 of the extract is 1424.30µg/ml. It also contains slightly analgesic and antidiabetic activity.

Conclusion: Our results recommend that presence of flavonoids and tannins renders Brassica oleracea L. var. italic with therapeutic potential for oxidative stress and inflammation associated disorders.