Phytochemical investigation and in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities of methanol extract of whole plant Argyreia capitiformis (Poir.) Ooststr

Abstract Background A. capitiformis (Poir.) Ooststr has a long history of usage as a medicinal cure for a wide variety of illnesses in many different cultures. Pharmacological properties and phytochemical characterization of the crude A. capitiformis whole plant are evalutted, in this paper. Methods Antioxidant activity was tested by the DPPH free radical scavenging method. In vitro anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects were assessed using Bovine serum albumin (BSA), protein denaturation method, and brine shrimp mortality assays, respectively with antihelmintic activity through Pheretima Posthuma worms. Acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and tail immersion testing assessed in vivo analgesia. CNS activity was evaluated through elevated plaze maize, open field, hole cross, and head dipping method. Results Phytochemiical investigation of A. capitiformis showed the presence of alkaloid, saponin, terpennoids, steroid and flavonoids etc. with the % yield of crude 2.04%.With an IC 50 of 45.35 µg/ml, the whole plant methanolic preparation has antioxidant activity equivalent to ascorbic acid. Anti-arthritic protein blocking dropped from 74.25 ± 0.12% to 12.18 ± 0.12%. 1000 µg/ml extract demonstrated 54.05 ± 0.12*% anti-inflammatory activity with protein denaturation. In the cytotoxicity assay, the extract had 129.72 µg/ml LC 50 and the positive group 34.67 µg/ml. Unlike Albendazole, the methanol extract triggered mature earthworms at 50 mg/ml. The extract’s analgesic efficacy at 200 and 400 mg/kg was statistically significant ( p < 0.001) in the acetic acid writhing and tail immersion method. The hot plate technique yielded statistically significant results only at 400 mg/kg ( p < 0.001). Only 400 mg/kg was statistically significant in the Elevated Plaze Maize and Hole Board Procedure ( p < 0.01). The hole cross and open field methods yielded highly statistically significant outcomes at 200 and 400 mg/kg ( p < 0.001). Conclusion In this research, the whole crude methanol extract of A. capitiformis revealed phytochemicals, antioxidants, in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties, cytotoxicity, anti-helminthic, in vivo analgesic, and CNS inhibitory activities.