Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of selected legumes from Pakistan: In vitro inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2

Crude methanolic extracts of selected legumes namely, black gram [Vigna mungo L.], green gram [Vigna radiata [L.] R. Wilczek], soybean [Glycine max [L.] Merr.] and lentil [Lens culinaris Medik.] were investigated for anti-inflammatory effects, using COX-2 producing PGE[2] inhibitory assay. Percentage inhibition observed was 73.93, 79.84, 92.17 and 74.47 for black gram, green gram, soybean and lentil respectively at 20microg/ml extract concentration. The l00 micro g/ml concentration showed increase in the percent inhibition except for soybean. This is the first report on COX-2 inhibitory potential of food legumes

Platelet aggregation inhibition activity of selected legumes of Pakistan

The current study was designed to explore the platelet aggregation activity of methanolic extracts of green gram, lentil, mash bean and soya bean. The extracts dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation initiated by arachidonic acid [AA] and platelet activating factor [PAF]. Extract of green gram was effective only against AA mediated activity while mash bean and soya bean extracts were effective against both AA and PAF mediated activity. But lentil extract has no activity. The order of activity based on IC[50] value is, Mash bean> Soya bean> Green gram. This preliminary result suggests that legume seed extract may be taken as a candidate lead natural compound to be considered in the search for natural products with beneficial effects on aberrant platelet activation mediated cardiovascular disorders