HPTLC and FT-IR Guided Phytochemical Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Evaluation of Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. Leaf Extracts

Background

Cymbidium aloifolium (L.) Sw. is traditionally used in indigenous medicine for the treatment of inflammatory conditions, but its anti-inflammatory potential has not yet been thoroughly validated through scientific studies. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of C. aloifolium leaf extracts and to characterize their putative bioactive constituents using HPTLC fingerprinting and FT-IR spectroscopy.

Materials and Methods

Successive leaf extracts were assessed for anti-inflammatory activity using egg albumin denaturation and carrageenan-induced paw edema models in Wistar rats. Acute oral toxicity was evaluated according to OECD guideline 423. Phytochemical profiling was performed using HPTLC and FT-IR analysis. Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.

Results

Among the extracts, the chloroform fraction demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory activity in vitro (IC₅₀ = 58.40 μg/mL) and significantly reduced paw edema in vivo at 200 mg/kg, comparable to diclofenac. No toxicity was observed up to 2000 mg/kg. HPTLC and FT-IR analyses indicated the presence of caffeine-like alkaloidal constituents and flavonoid-related functional groups.

Conclusion

C. aloifolium leaf extracts exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activity, likely associated with caffeine-like alkaloidal constituents and flavonoids. These findings support its traditional use and warrant further phytochemical characterization.