In vitro Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of the Aqueous and Ethanol Leaf Extracts of Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn. F.

Abstract

Clerodendrum phlomid is was a common shrub of arid plains, low hills, and tropical deserts. It belongs to the family Verbenaceae. Many species of this genus have been documented in traditional system of medicine in India. The roots of the plant have been extensively studied in Ayurveda but in folk and traditional medicine, it is the leaf that finds more application in alleviating many diseases. Oxidation byproducts of metabolism was responsible for many pathophysiological conditions. Anti-oxidants are molecules that quench the free radicals. The present study aims at evaluating the in-vitro anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and ethanol leaf extract of Clerodendrum phlomidis. The anti-oxidant activity was evaluated by three in vitro models, namely the DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and NO radical scavenging activity. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by the RBC membrane Inhibition method. The aqueous extract was found to have better anti- oxidant activity than the ethanol extract in DPPH and NO radical scavenging activity. The RBC membrane inhibition method clearly states that the aqueous leaf extract of Clerodendrum phlomidis was found to have a comparatively an effective anti-inflammatory activity than ethanol extract.