Anti-inflammatory potential of processing Vernonanthura patens (Kunth) H. Rob. leaves aqueous extract

Folk medicine uses decoctions of Vernonanthura patens (Kunth) H. Rob. leaves for healing wounds, and moderate pains. In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of decocted aqueous extract and its fractions is discussed. The fractions were obtained by liquid-liquid extraction in a separating funnel with solvents of increasing polarity: hexane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate. Antioxidant capacity, COX1, and COX2 cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of aqueous extract (A1), aqueous (A2), and ethyl acetate (A3) fractions were assessed. A3 revealed the highest flavonoid content, and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity. Nevertheless, no significance differences were observed between IC50 values of A1 and A2, and A1 showed anti-inflammatory activity with potential selectivity against COX2 enzyme, but intermediate COX1 inhibition. Further experiments are required to complement the remarkable anti-inflammatory effect of assessed aqueous extract. These results support the medicinal use of this plant species and indicate that A1 can be used as raw material for prospective nutraceutical products.