A Comparative Study on The Anti-inflammatory Activity of Boerhavia Diffusa and Scoparia Dulcis

Inflammation is a reaction of living tissues towards injury, and it comprises systemic and local response which is an effective function of immune system. Herbal plants play a major role in the treatment of various types of inflammation. This study evaluates the anti-inflammatory potential of Scoparia dulcis and Boerhavia diffusa, two medicinal plants traditionally used for their therapeutic properties. Ethanolic extracts of both plants were assessed using in vitro methods, including human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization and protein denaturation assays. Both plants exhibited significant, concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory activity, with Boerhavia diffusa demonstrating superior efficacy. The HRBC stabilization assay showed effective inhibition of haemolysis, while the protein denaturation assay highlighted the ability of the extracts to prevent heat-induced protein denaturation. These effects are attributed to the phytochemical composition of the plants, which includes flavonoids, alkaloids, and other bioactive compounds. Thus, investigational findings suggest that Scoparia dulcis and Boerhavia diffusa possess potential anti-inflammatory activity, so these plants are promising candidates for developing safer, plant-based alternatives to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The characterization & isolation of the active principle may help to disclose the mechanism by which they elicit anti-inflammatory activity.