The present study investigated the comparative phytochemical profiles, antioxidant potential, and anti-inflammatory effects of Kalanchoe pinnata, Curcuma longa, and Aloe barbadensis. Methanolic extraction yielded 3.11%, 6.12%, and 5.46% crude extracts, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds, with variations across the plants. Quantitative analysis indicated that Curcuma longa had the highest total phenolic content (40.65 mg/g gallic acid equivalent), while Curcuma longa exhibited the highest total flavonoid content (43.7 mg/g rutin equivalent). Antioxidant activity assessed by DPPH radical scavenging demonstrated concentration-dependent effects, with Aloe barbadensis showing the lowest IC₅₀ value (23.30 µg/ml) among the extracts. Physicochemical evaluation of formulated suspensions revealed suitable pH (6.3–6.7), viscosity (1385–1510 cps), good redispersibility, and stable sedimentation volumes, with the polyherbal formulation showing superior stability. In vivo studies using carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity for all extracts, with the polyherbal suspension exhibiting maximal edema inhibition comparable to ibuprofen. The enhanced effects are likely due to synergistic interactions among bioactive phytoconstituents. These findings highlight the potential of these plants, individually and in combination, as natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, supporting their traditional use and potential therapeutic applications.
Manas Verma1*, Vishal Shrivastava2, A.K. Singhai3 (Fri,) studied this question.