Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Properties of Stachytarpheta angustifolia Mill Vahl (Verbenaceae) Methanol Extract

Herbal remedies have been used for the treatment of various diseases as they contain phytochemicals with useful pharmacological activities. The plant Stachytarpheta angustifolia has been used traditionally as anti-ulcer, anti-diarrhoea, anti-hypertensive, anti-fever, anti-helminth, anti-bacteria and antidiabetics. This study was aimed at evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties of Stachytarpheta angustifolia. The whole plant was extracted with Methanol using Soxhlet apparatus. The extract obtained was screened for phytochemicals, free radical scavenging activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), in vitro anti-inflammatory (protein denaturation inhibition) activity using bovine serum albumin (BSA), in vivo anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw edema and analgesic activity using hot plate methods. Results of the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Saponins and Alkaloids in copious amounts, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides and quinones in moderate amounts; while, phenol, tannins, steroids, and coumarins were present in low amounts. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was 71.93 and 70.80% at concentrations of 500 and 250 µg/ml compared to Vitamin C and Vitamin E (92.56 and 84.17%), respectively. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was dose-dependent (31.58%) and higher than Aspirin (28.32%). The in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was 79.10% compared to Aspirin (78.33%). The analgesic activity of the extract was (62.01%) compared to Aspirin (59.15%). The study found that the extract possessed various phytoconstituents that can be used for medicinal purposes. Hence, the extract may serve as a source of drugs for the management of pain and inflammatory conditions.