Anti-inflammatory activity and phytochemical analysis of Macaranga peltata Boiv. Ex Baill. leaves and Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre. seeds

Context: Traditional medicinal plant knowledge represents one of the oldest and most valuable contributions to the health sector of humanity. It serves as an essential guide to humans to develop better and healthier well-being. Medicinal plants possess phytoconstituents which exhibit enormous therapeutic effects. Aims: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Macaranga peltata (MPCF) and Pongamia pinnata (PPEAF) fractions and estimate the phytochemicals responsible for their therapeutic action. Methods: Plant extracts and fractions were tested for their in vitro anti-inflammatory properties using the bovine serum albumin method and in vivo activity using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. The selected fragments were analyzed for phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and total phenolics. Results: The extract yields indicate that P. pinnata contains non-polar compounds and M. peltata contains polar phytocompounds. Both the MPCF and PPEAF were found to contain flavonoids. However, MPCF also contained tannins and phenolic compounds that were found in lesser percentages in PPEAF. Conclusions: The chloroform fraction of M. peltata and ethyl acetate fraction of P. pinnata showed significant anti-inflammatory activity compared to the positive control group.