Macro propagation and Assessment of the Anti-inflammatory potential of Plectranthus caninus – an in vitro approach

Plectranthus caninus, a member of the Lamiaceae family, possesses a range of therapeutic properties. Despite its inability to produce seeds, this species efficiently propagates through vegetative plant components. A recent study investigated the efficacy of vegetative propagation of P. caninus and evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of an ethanolic leaf extract obtained from vegetatively propagated plants. Without any treatment, stem cuttings of P. caninus demonstrated a successful initiation of shoots and roots, achieving a propagation rate of 75%. Over a span of 60 days, the plants exhibited significant growth with a maximum plant height of 37cm, shoot length of 26.2cm and root length of 12.6cm. The anti-inflammatory potential was assessed through the albumin denaturation assay, HRBC membrane stabilization assay and heat-induced hemolysis assay. The ethanolic leaf extract of P. caninus displayed maximum percentage inhibition at 200 mg/mL, with values of 78.70 ± 0.83, 77.7 ± 0.66 and 79.8 ± 0.63 respectively. Comparative analysis with the standard (diclofenac sodium) revealed similar results. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory potential found in the leaves of P. caninus holds promise for the development of a novel plant-based anti-inflammatory drug.