Pharmacognostic evaluation and HPTLC quantification of rutin in Adina cordifolia leaf with profiling of anti- inflammatory, and antioxidant activities

The Rubiaceae family includes the medicinally significant species Adina cordifolia (Roxb.) Hook. f. ex- Brandis, traditionally used to treat conditions such as inflammation, fever, wounds, and parasitic infections. This study investigates the phytochemical profile, pharmacognostic properties, and bioactive potential of Adina cordifolia (ACF) leaf and bark extracts. Emphasis was placed on evaluating antioxidant and anti-inflammatoryactivities and determining rutin and tannic acid levels using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC).Pharmacognostic analysis involved morphological and microscopic studies of ACF leaves, aiding botanical characterization. Soxhlet extraction was performed using various solvents, with ethanol yielding the highest extractive values for leaves (31.5%) and bark (29.8%). Phytochemical screening identified carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and triterpenoids in the extracts, with ethanol and butanol showing the highest concentrations. HPTLC analysis quantified rutin, while antioxidant activity was assessed through the DPPH assay. The anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated using protein denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization techniques. HPTLC analysis confirmed the presence of rutin in all leaf extracts, with the butanolic extract showing the highest concentration (0.43%), while tannic acid was absent in the leaf extracts. The butanolic extract exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 36.90 µg/ml. Ethanolic extracts had the highest tannin (14.4%) and polyphenol (5.2%) content, correlating with significant bioactivity. Anti-inflammatory assays further highlighted the therapeutic potential of ACF extracts. These findings substantiate its traditional uses and underscore its relevance in modern pharmacological research.