Pharamacognostic Profile and Comparative In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity Study of Ethanomedicinal Plants of North East India.

Background: In ethno-medicinal practices, the leaves of Alocasia macrrorhizos, Canavalia ensiformis, Amaranthus cruentus, Averrhoea carambola, Bauhina tenifloara, and Capsicum Chinese have different pharmacological activities. The problem encountered with the proper utilization of herbal drugs is lack of documentation and standard parameter, which create problem in acceptance and importance of these plants. Objective: The objectives of our study are to establish scientifically evaluated pharmacognostic profile and in vitro antiinflammatory screening of six plants. Methods: Leaf sample from each plant was evaluated by macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical parameters (As per WHO recommended methods of standardization). The anti-inflammatory activity screening of methanolic extracts was carried out against inhibition of protein denaturation method taking diclofenac sodium as a benchmark. Result: The macroscopic characteristic and microscopical evaluation reveals the type of stomata within the leaves and presence of parenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, upper epidemis, lower epidermis, vascular bundle, palisade cells and trichomes in the transverse section of leaves. Physicochemical parameter reveals the total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble, methanol soluble extractives and moisture content. The IC50 value of MEAM, MECE, MEAC, MEAC1, MECC, and MEBT against inhibiton of protein denaturation was found to be 72.88, 841.78, 735.12, 303.75, 188, and 354.1855 µg/mL respectively. Conclusion: The present study contributes useful information that will help in the exact identification as well as assessment of purity of crude drugs. Methanolic extract of Alocasia macrorrhizos could be a potential anti-inflammatory agent from the natural sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]