PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND ANTI-ARTHRITIC ACTIVITIES OF MUNTINGIA CALABURA L.

Muntingia calabura L. is traditionally employed in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and joint-related ailments. The present study aimed to conduct phytochemical screening and evaluate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of M. calabura L. bark extract. The powdered plant material was extracted using a hydroalcoholic solvent and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening, which revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins, phenolic compounds, and proteins. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method, while anti-arthritic activity was assessed using bovine serum albumin denaturation and egg albumin denaturation methods at different concentrations of the extract. The extract demonstrated concentration-dependent membrane stabilization in the HRBC method, indicating significant anti-inflammatory potential. In the anti-arthritic models, the extract effectively inhibited protein denaturation in both bovine serum albumin and egg albumin assays. The observed activities were comparable to those of the standard drug. The presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids may contribute to the inhibition of protein denaturation and stabilization of biological membranes. These findings suggest that M. calabura L. possesses promising in vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities. Further investigations, including isolation of active constituents and in vivo studies, are warranted.