Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND IN VITRO ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THREE INDIGENOUS PLANTS BY RBC MEMBRANE STABILIZATION METHOD

Asha Gangadharan* and Benny P. J.

ABSTRACT

The systematic evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of indigenous plants used in wound healing will facilitate the development of efficient wound healing drugs. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of anti-inflammatory activity of three plants used by traditional healers, viz:- Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) H.G. Hallier, Leucas aspera (Willd) Link and Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. Hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone and ethanol extracts of the plants, were subjected to evaluate Human RBC membrane stabilization potential, which influence the process of inflammation. Among the extracts screened the hexane and acetone extract of Leucas aspera, acetone extract of Biophytum sensitivum and ethanol extract of Hemigraphis colorata were exhibited significantly better activity than the other extracts and standard antiinflammatory drug Diclofenac sodium. These observations will stimulate further research in the clinical application of the plants under study. The study proves the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the plants and they hold a good prospect for drug development against inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) H.G. Hallier, Leucas aspera (Willd) Link, Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC, Anti-inflammatory activity and RBC membrane stabilization.