Validation of the potential anti-inflammatory activity of Plumbago auriculata Lam

Abstract

This study targets scientific validation of the claimed anti-inflammatory activity of Plumbago auriculata Lam. The total methanolic extract of the aerial parts of P. auriculata Lam. and its different fractions were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats followed by bio-guided isolation of the anti-inflammatory principles from the active fractions. As a result, sixteen compounds were isolated and identified based on different spectroscopic techniques. Two of them exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities proved through inhibition of the paw swelling by 81.4 ± 0.2 and 85.2 ± 3.6% at a dose of 10 mg/kg, while the others exhibited varying activities. Throughout the study, some compounds are reported for the first time, of them, a unique polyoxygenated chromone-C-glucoside; biflorin together with a well-known coumarin; umbelliferone, are of a great importance for their chemotaxonomic significance of the studied species.