ANTI-INFLAMMATORY STUDY (IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO) AND HPTLC DENSITOMERIC DETERMINATION OF QUERCETIN FROM METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF HOTTUYNIA CORDATA THUNB. FROM MIZORAM, INDIA

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. from Mizoram, India, using in-vitro and in-vivo models. In addition, the study also aimed to determine the quercetin content of the methanolic leaf extract using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) densitometry. Methods: The methanolic leaf extract of H. cordata was prepared using successive Soxhlet extraction, and its anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using in-vitro models such as inhibition of protein denaturation and inhibition of proteinase activity. The in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. The quercetin content of the extract was determined using HPTLC densitometry. Results: The methanolic leaf extract of H. cordata showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in both in-vitro and in-vivo models. The extract exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation and proteinase activity and also significantly reduced paw edema in the rat model. The IC50 values of egg albumin and bovine serum albumin denaturation studies were 317.365 μg/mL and 198.918 μg/mL, respectively. The results showed that the methanolic leaf extract of the plant was 200 mg/kg b.w. and 400 mg/kg b.w., which considerably reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema, and their effects were comparable to those of the standard diclofenac sodium. The HPTLC densitometry analysis revealed the presence of quercetin in the extract, with a quercetin content of 21.8 ng/μL. Conclusion: The methanolic leaf extract of H. cordata Thunb. from Mizoram, India demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in both in-vitro and in-vivo models. The presence of quercetin in the extract may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties. These findings provide scientific evidence for the traditional use of H. cordata as an anti-inflammatory agent.