Phytochemical Profiling and Comparative In Vitro Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of Senna italica Mill. and Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance
Senna italica and Phyllanthus reticulatus are widely used in traditional medicine for treating inflammation-related disorders. Their documented uses in Ayurveda and folk systems justify scientific validation.
Aim of the study:
To compare the phytochemical composition and the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extracts from S. italica and P. reticulatus using LC-MS and enzyme inhibition assays.
Materials and methods:
Ethanol extracts were prepared using cold maceration and sonication techniques. LC–MS profiling was conducted to identify major phytoconstituents. In vitro assays for cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzyme inhibition were performed using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Diclofenac served as the standard.
Results: LC–MS analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, and phenolic acids. S. italica exhibited higher COX (50.02%) and LOX (47.61%) inhibition than P. reticulatus (42.88% and 42.41%, respectively) at 100 μL. IC₅₀ values for both extracts were greater than 100 μL, while Diclofenac showed IC₅₀ values of 52.19 and 60.22 μg/mL, respectively. The activities correlated with the presence of emodin, quercetin, kaempferol, and ellagic acid.
Conclusions:
Both extracts demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory activity. S. italica showed greater efficacy. These findings support the ethnomedicinal use of both plants and justify their inclusion in polyherbal anti-inflammatory formulations.