Phytochemical profiling, estimation of total phenolic content and in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activity of leaves extracts of Tabernaemontana inconpiscua Stapf.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity of water, methanol, ethyl acetate, leaf extracts of Tabernaemontana inconspicua Stapf. Phytochemical analysis using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the presence of sterols, flavonoids, and tannins in the leaves. The methanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (534.00 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g DW) and flavonoid (130.39 ± 0.18 mg QE/g DW) content compared to ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts. The antioxidant activity of the methanol extract was significant, with a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP assay) value of 331.65 ± 1.05 mg ECAT/g DW, and an SC50 value of 20 ± 0.09 µg/mL using the ABTS method, comparable to the standard gallic acid (SC50 = 25 ± 0.09 µg/mL). The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanol extract, evaluated using the Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) denaturation method, showed a significant IC50 value of 13 ± 0.09 µg/mL, comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium (IC50 = 15 ± 0.04 µg/mL). These results suggest that the leaves of T. inconspicua possess potential anti-inflammatory activity and are a good source of natural antioxidants.