Phytochemical screening and evaluation of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities of leaves of Vernonia amygdalina, Otostegia integrifolia, and Salvia rosmarinus

Abstract

This study assessed leaves extract from Vernonia amygdalina, Otostegia integrifolia, and Salvia rosmarinus plants for their phytochemical content and in-vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. The DPPH bioassay for antioxidants, MTT bioassay for anticancer, measurement of the inhibition of albumin-denaturation, and anti-proteinase for anti-inflammatory activities methods were used. The result of phytochemical-screening tests confirmed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in plants. The three plants exhibited IC50 (μg mL−1) for radical – scavenging activities at a concentration 10–30 μg mL−1 which was higher than that of the positive control ascorbic acid. Chloroform/methanol (1:1) S. rosmarinus leaves extract showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity against albumin-denaturation with an IC50 value of 0.58 μg mL−1, followed-by chloroform/methanol (1:1) V. amygdalina leaves extract with an IC50 value of 0.81μg mL−1 [positive control aspirin (IC50 value of 4.59 μg mL−1)]. Both plants’ chloroform/methanol (1:1) extracts demonstrated higher inhibitory activity against proteinase than aspirin. The three plants were tested for anti-cervical-cancer activity at 1250 μg mL−1 concentration. All the plants showed the strong anti-proliferative effects on continuous cell culture of HeLa cells line. The plants that were studied scientifically have provided support for the traditional-therapists’ claim of anticancer activity.

Keywords

• Anticancer
• Anti-inflammatory
• Otostegia integrifolia
• Salvia rosmarinus
• Vernonia amygdalina