Integrated Phytochemical Characterization and in-vitro Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Safety Evaluation of Selected Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants include a wide range of phytochemicals that contribute to their medicinal benefits, particularly in reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage. The aim is to assess the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant potential, and safety of Ferula asafoetida, Hyoscyamus niger, Matricaria chamomilla, and Styrax benzoin. The antioxidant activity was determined using ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, Lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide scavenging tests. The safety was assessed utilising the Hen’s Egg Test – Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) assay. FTIR spectroscopy was utilised for functional group evaluation. M. chamomilla showed the highest carbohydrate, protein, and flavonoid content, while H. niger had the highest phenolic content. F. asafoetida exhibited the lowest DPPH IC50 (2.280±0.041 µg/mL), and FRAP values ranged up to 9.10±0.05 mg Trolox equivalent in M. chamomilla. F. asafoetida and M. chamomilla show the lowest IC50 of 156.84±9.99 and 147.178±4.364 mg Trolox equivalent, respectively, indicating their anti-inflammatory activity. All extracts protected DNA from oxidative damage and showed irritation scores below 1 in the HET-CAM assay. In conclusion, plants showed notable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity and safety profiles. F. asafoetida was the most effective radical scavenger, whereas M. chamomilla had the highest phytochemical concentration.