Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical Studies including Isolation of Lutein and Its Sun Protection Factor, In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Arthritic and Anti-Oxidant Activity of Commelina benghalensis Linn

The present investigation draws the following conclusion (succeeding) inference. • Pharmacognostical parameters for the leaves of Commelina benghalensis L. Hexacytic stomato and raphides are the diagnostic features of Commelina benghalensis L. • The derived parameters would help to fix or draw the monographical standards. • Quantitative estimation helps to identify the gallic acid, tannic acid, and flavonoids equivalents present in the hydroalcoholic extract of Commelina benghalensis L. • Chlorophyll “a”, Chlorophyll “b”, Total chlorophyll and Total carotenoid content in fresh leaves of Commelina benghalensis L. were determined. • TLC studies recorded the presence of flavonoids, flavones, flavonols and phenolic compounds. • The phytochemical screening of the hydroalcoholic extract (70%) of Commelina benghalensis L. (Leaf) powder revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, sterols, saponins, tannins and phenolic compound, flavonoids, protein and free aminoacid, terpenoids, mucilage, betacyanin, quinone, phlobatannins, carotenoids. The aqueous extract of Commelina benghalensis L. (Leaf) powder revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, sterols, saponins, tannins and phenolic compound, flavonoids, protein and free aminoacid, mucilage, emodin, quinone, phlobatannins, carotenoids. • Isolation of carotenoids such as Lutein was confirmed by UV, NMR (1H NMR,13C NMR) and GC-MS spectrum. • Pharmacological screening potentiates the biological invitro anti-inflammatory effect, invitro anti-arthritic effect, invitro sun protection effect of isolated lutein, and invitroantioxidant effect. • At the site of inflammation, HAECB may possibly inhibit the release of lysosomal content of neutrophils (bactericidal enzymes and proteinases) which upon extracellular release cause further tissue inflammation and damage (Chou, 1997). In the present study, results indicate that the HAECB possesses significant anti-inflammatory properties which may be due to the strong occurrence of polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids, tannins and phenols. • HAECB showed significant antiarthritic activity by inhibition of protein denaturation. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being a common inflammatory disease affects about 1% of the adult population worldwide. It occurs in immunogenetically predisposed individuals. Protein denaturation was found to be one of the causes of RA. HAECB has shown significant anti-arthritic activity and the phenolic constituent may be responsible for this activity. • Further investigation may be carried out for the bio-active fraction for its potential pharmacological effects. • Future research studies may be extended to isolate other phyto-constituents present in this plant