Physicochemical characterization of starch from Maranta arundinacea L. (arrowroot) rhizomes and its inhibition of COX-2: In vivo validation

Maranta arundinacea L. (M. arundinacea L.) that belongs to the family Marantaceae is an underutilized tuber. The starch from the rhizomatous tubers is highly commercial and medicinal value is uncharacterized. This study was aimed at isolating the starch from Maranta arundinacea L. rhizomes, analyzing its physiochemical properties and examine its influence on anti-inflammatory activity. The physicochemical properties like Moisture and ash content, water holding capacity, water absorption index, amylose content, light transmittance and structural morphology of starch granules. Anti-inflammatory activity of starch from M. arundinacea L. was evaluated in Wistar rats by carrageenan induced paw edema. The biochemical estimation of serum enzymes, lipid peroxidation, enzymatic antioxidants and histopathological studies of paw tissues were carried out in paw tissues. Molecular expression of proinflammatory COX-2 gene was also analyzed. M. arundinacea starch was found to contain 9.3% moisture, 1.36% ash and 26.3% amylose content. The light transmittance (%) decreased with an increase in time. Micrographs of SEM analysis showed variations in the shape of granules that appeared as spherical and irregular. The size of granules varied between 2.86 and 6.92 μm. Attenuation in paw edema on treatment with M. arundinacea L. starch (200 mg/kg) was observed in comparison with that of standard drug Diclofenac sodium, the serum enzymes and enzymatic antioxidants were brought to near normal. The potent anti-inflammatory activities were confirmed by Histopathological studies. Molecular expression of proinflammatory COX-2 gene was also down regulated. It can be concluded that the dietary supplementation of starch from M. arundinacea L. to mitigate inflammation and reduce chronic diseases.