Phytochemical Characterization and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Ethanolic Extract of Jatropha Gossypiifolia Linn

Medicinal plants have been widely used in traditional medicine because they contain natural compounds with important therapeutic properties. Many plant-derived phytochemicals possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activities, making them valuable sources for the development of herbal medicines (1). Among these medicinal plants, Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn., belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae, has been extensively used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, skin diseases, wounds, fever, and infections (2).

The plant contains several bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, diterpenes, and phenolic compounds, which contribute to its pharmacological activities (3). Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are particularly known for their ability to inhibit inflammatory mediators and reduce oxidative stress, thereby helping to control inflammation (4).

Standardization and characterization of herbal extracts are important to ensure their quality, purity, and reproducibility. Physicochemical parameters, phytochemical screening, UV-visible spectroscopy, and other analytical methods provide valuable information regarding the identity and chemical composition of medicinal plants (5,6).

Inflammation is a protective response of the body against tissue injury; however, prolonged inflammation may lead to chronic diseases. The protein denaturation assay is a simple and reliable in vitro method for evaluating anti-inflammatory activity because denatured proteins are associated with inflammatory disorders (7). Therefore, the present study was undertaken to characterize the ethanolic extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. and evaluate its anti-inflammatory potential using the protein denaturation method.

Materials and Methods

Fresh leaves of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. were collected, authenticated, shade dried, powdered, and extracted using ethanol by a suitable extraction method. The obtained extract was subjected to physicochemical evaluation, including determination of total ash value, acid-insoluble ash, extractive value, and moisture content according to standard pharmacopoeial procedures (8). Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out to identify alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, and diterpenes using standard qualitative tests (9).

The extract was further evaluated for solubility in different solvents. UV-visible spectroscopic analysis was performed by preparing the extract solution in ethanol, and the maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) was determined. A calibration curve was prepared following Beer–Lambert's law for quantitative estimation (10).

The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the protein denaturation method. Different concentrations of the extract were incubated with egg albumin and heated under controlled conditions. Diclofenac sodium was used as the reference standard. The absorbance was measured spectrophotometrically, and the percentage inhibition of protein denaturation and IC50 values were calculated. All experiments were performed in triplicate, and the results were expressed as mean values (11).

Results and discussion:

Result of Physicochemical Parameter andi t’s Evolution:

Table no.1 Physical Content of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn.

Table no.2 Determination of Moisture content of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn.

Fig.no.1 Chemical InorganicTest for Ethanolic Extract of Jatropha Gossypiifolia Linn.

Table no.3 Results of Identification properties of Ethanolic extractof Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. Plant.

Table no.4 Results of chemical tests for detection of inorganic constituents of ethanolic extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. Plant.

The Results for Qualitative Chemical Investigation of alcoholic extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. Indicated the presence of mainly.

Organic constituents:

Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Tannins. Glycosides. Diterpenes.

Inorganic constituents:

Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, Sulphate.

Solubility:

Figure No 2. The extract was analysed for solubility in different solvent

Table no.5. Solubility of Jatropha gossypiifoliaL. In Different Solvent

Whereas, (+) indicate sign soluble and (-) indicate sign insoluble.

Determination of λmax:

The Extract solution 100 µg/ml in ethanol was prepared and analyzed at 200 to 800nmin UV spectrometer against ethanol as blank solution. The λmax extract solution was found to be at 204.8nm.

Figure No.3 UV λ max Graph of Ethanolic Extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia L.

Table no 6. Absorbance of Extract at different concentration

Figure no 4 UV-visible spectra of Alcoholic extract of jatropha gossypiifolia L.

In Vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity (Protein Denaturation Method):

The anti-inflammatory activity of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. extract was evaluated using the protein denaturation method. The extract showed dose-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation, with 65.3% inhibition at 100 µg/mL and 68.6% inhibition at 300 µg/mL. The results indicate that the extract possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity, although it was lower than the standard drug, diclofenac sodium. The increased inhibition at higher concentrations suggests that the extract contains bioactive compounds capable of reducing protein denaturation, which is associated with inflammatory responses. These findings support the potential use of Jatropha gossypiifolia Linn. extract as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Table No. 7.  Result of Protein Inhibition Study

Table No. 8 Result of IC50 value for Protein Inhibition study