Phytochemical Profiling Using GCMS and HPLC and Evaluation of Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-bacterial Activities of Lawsonia Inermis

Abstract

Lawsonia inermis leaves are often used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various disorders. The main objectives of this study were to assess the phytochemical composition of the plant using various analytical techniques and also to investigate its pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial because little work had been reported on these aspects previously. Sequential extraction of dried leaves was performed using solvents, namely n-hexane, chloroform, methanol, and water. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 2015 guidelines. According to established procedures, primary and secondary metabolites were estimated. Mineral content estimation was done using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Analytical techniques, including FTIR, GCMS, and HPLC were employed for phytochemical profiling. For anti-oxidant activity, DPPH, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum assay, and H₂O₂ scavenging activity were performed. The protein denaturation method was used to investigate in vitro anti-inflammatory effect. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed against several bacterial strains using the well diffusion method. Physicochemical analysis values fall within the USP 2015 range. In methanolic extract, flavonoids, glycosaponins, and polyphenols were found in higher concentrations. The results of analytical studies indicate the presence of various valuable compounds and minerals. The anti- inflammatory activity of the methanol extract was found to be 85.045% compared to 86.885% of diclofenac sodium as a standard. The methanolic extract showed significant antimicrobial activity at a concentration (400 mg/mL) comparable to the activity of the reference drug. The leaves of Lawsonia inermis extracts revealed the presence of bioactive constituents, which are known to exhibit medicinal as well as physiological activities. The plant has significant anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.