Anti-inflammatory activity, Phytochemical Screening and Bioactive Chemical Analysis of Cicer Arietinum L. (chickpeas) Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Techniques

Herbal medicine is the cornerstone of complementary and alternative medicine, which has been progressively gaining global recognition in recent years and moving toward integration into the traditional healthcare system. In both industrialized and developing nations worldwide, the use of herbal medicine transcends ethnic, social, and gender boundaries. A popular legume in the Fabaceae family, chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.) are prized for their nutritional and therapeutic qualities. Chickpeas are a major food legume crop, ranking third in output worldwide after common beans and field peas. They are extensively grown in the subtropical and warm-temperate climates. Its two main varieties, desi and kabuli, differ in terms of phytochemical richness and bioactivity. Preliminary Phytochemical analysis of the Ethanolic extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, and phenolic chemicals, indicating possible pharmacological activity. GC-MS research revealed numerous bioactive chemicals, including phytosterols, fatty acid esters, phenolics, and flavonoid derivatives, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. The carrageenan-induced chick paw edema model is used in this work to assess Cicer arietinum L. anti-inflammatory properties. In order to produce inflammation, 1% carrageenan was injected subplantarly into seven-day-old chicks after they had received graded dosages of Ethanolic extracts of raw and germinated C. arietinum seeds. To assess the anti-inflammatory effect, paw thickness was evaluated at pre-established intervals and compared to a control group and a standard group that received Indomethacin treatment. The C. arietinum extract significantly and dose-dependently decreased paw edema, indicating that it has potent anti-inflammatory qualities.