In vitro analysis of bioactive metabolites from sungkai ( Peronema canescens ) leaves for anti-inflammatory potential

This study investigates the anti-inflammatory potential of bioactive metabolites derived from sungkai leaves ( Peronema canescens Jack) using an in vitro approach. The metabolites were obtained through maceration followed by solvent partitioning and chromatographic separation, including vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC), column chromatography (CC), and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Structural characterization of the resulting fractions was performed using Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro using a modified Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein denaturation assay. Among the tested extracts, the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity with an IC 50 value of 52.12 μg/mL, compared to the n -hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol residue extracts. LC–MS/MS analysis tentatively suggested the presence of a compound with molecular formula C 16 H 12 O 5 , corresponding to a flavonoid structure identified as acacetin. This findings indicate that sungkai leaf extract contains putative flavonoid metabolites that may contribute to its observed anti-inflammatory activity. However, further isolation and structural confirmation are required to establish a definitive relationship between the identified compounds and the biological activity.