A STUDY ON ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF MORINGA OLEIFERA

Abstract

The leaves of Moringa oleifera are rich in bioactive compounds, and reported to possess various pharmacological activities. Hence, the present study was conducted with the main purpose of phytochemical screening and assessment of anti-inflammatory potential of leaves of M. oleifera. Leaves of M. oleifera was subjected to successive solvent extraction by continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet) with 50% methanol. Results depicted that methanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera exhibited percentage inhibition of 54.28%, 91.64%, and 102.84% at 100 μg/mL, 250 μg/mL, and 500 μg/mL respectively. These findings revealed that highest inhibition percentage i.e., 102.84% was observed at 500 μg/mL concentration of methanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera which was at par with inhibition (%) effects of standard diclofenac sodium (118.46%). Furthermore, major phytochemicals found in methanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera were found to be alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, phenolic compounds/tannins, and terpenoids. In conclusion, methanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera exhibited anti-inflammatory potential, and hence it could be explored for the development of natural anti-inflammatory agents.