ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY, HPTLC ANALYSIS OF β-SITOSTEROL FROM METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF THUNBERGIA GRANDIFLORA ROXB., TRADITIONAL HERBAL PLANT FROM MIZORAM, INDIA

Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb. (Mizo local name- Vakohrui or Zawngafian), commonly known as Bengal clockvine, is a long-lived, dicotyledonous plant traditionally used in the state of Mizoram, India for the treatment of cancer, diabetes, eye diseases, cuts and wounds etc. This study aimed to conduct in-vitro, in-vivo anti-inflammatory studies and HPTLC fingerprinting and quantifying the bioactive compounds from Thunbergia grandiflora Roxb. The IC₅₀ value of Egg albumin and BSA denaturation studies was found to be 423.59 µg/ml & 400.76 µg/ml respectively. The results showed that methanolic leaf extract of the plant 200mg/kg b.w. and 400mg/kg b.w. considerably reduced carrageenan-induced paw edema, and their effects were comparable to the standard diclofenac sodium. HPTLC analysis showed the presence of β -Sitosterol in the methanolic extract and the amount of β -sitosterol was found to be 22ng/µl. The identity of the bands of β -Sitosterol in the samples was confirmed by overlapping their UV absorption spectrum with that of the standards. The results for anti-inflammatory studies showed marked anti-inflammatory activity, which was found to be concentration dependent. These results suggested the methanolic leaf extract of Thunbergia grandiflora plant of having promisinganti-inflammatory properties that could, in the future aid the pharmaceutical industry in the formulation of safe, herbal anti-inflammatory drugs.