Pharmacognostic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Securigera securidaca Seeds and Seed Oil

• Published in: Research journal of pharmacognosy Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. 31 - 39
• Main Authors: Akram Jamshidzadeh, Ardalan Pasdaran, Reza Heidari, Azadeh Hamedi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iranian Society of Pharmacognosy 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Hatchet Vetch; PUFA; Securigera securidaca; seed oil; Weed seed
• ISSN: 2345-4458; 2345-5977
• DOI: 10.22127/rjp.2018.64870

Background and objectives: Although weed plants are considered undesirable in a particular situation, some weed seeds can be a valuable and cheap source of therapeutic natural compounds. Securigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Dorfl (Fabaceae) is widely distributed in Europe, Australia and Asia as a weed plant. This study investigated the bioactive compounds of S. securidaca seeds as well as its potential anti-inflammatory properties. Methods:  The fatty acid and sterol content were investigated with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and phenolic compounds were detected using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The thermostability of the oil was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Formalin-induced paw licking test and myeloperoxidase activity were investigated. The study was conducted by creating six groups of rats including a control group (vehicle-treated rats, 250 µL/kg, i.p.), formalin group (50 µL of 2.5% formalin), positive control (paracetamol, 100 mg/kg, i.p), and groups of S. securidaca seed oil (250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 μl/kg, i.p). Results: S. securidaca seeds contained a high level of polyunsaturated fatty acid content including linoleic acid (64.602 ± 0.793%) and oleic acid (15.353 ± 0.461%). Stigmasterol and campesterol were not detected in the oil but it contained esterified β-sitosterol (6.621 ± 0.08 mg/g). The seed oil couldn’t create a significant reduction in the MPO activity. It showed a slight but not significant effect on formalin-induced pain reduction. Conclusion: The seed is a rich source of linoleic acid which makes it a good candidate to be used in the pharmaceutical industry.