Phytochemical Screening and Pharmacological Activities of the Ethanolic Stem Extract of Cleome gynandra

Farjana Yasmin, Nor Adlin Yusoff and Amir Hossain

Objective: This study aimed to identify the phytochemical compounds of the ethanolic stem extract of Cleome gynandra (CGEE) and to determine the antioxidant, membrane stability and analgesic activities of CGEE. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis was conducted qualitatively. Content of total phenolic compounds and tannins was determined using Folin Ciocalteau reagent. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, membrane stabilizing activity was tested using hypotonic solution and heat-induced hemolysis and analgesic activities were evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. Results: CGEE is rich in tannins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, acidic compounds and proteins. The total phenolic and tannin contents were 237.92 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g and 21.07 mg GAE/100 g of dried plant extract, respectively. CGEE also displayed promising DPPH free radical scavenging activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 9.62 μg mL^–1. In the hypotonic solution-induced hemolysis test, the extract showed 43.67, 42.85 and 38.66% inhibition at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg mL^–1, respectively, whereas the standard resulted in 30.57% inhibition. In the heat-induced hemolysis test, 1 mg mL^–1 of extract resulted in 84.43% inhibition of hemolysis. Furthermore, in the analgesic activity test, CGEE doses of 250 and 500 mg kg^–1 body weight resulted in good inhibition of the writhing reflex (40.87 and 53.92%, respectively), while the standard drug (diclofenac sodium) at 25 mg kg^–1 body weight resulted in inhibition of 64.35%. Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that the stem extract of Cleome gynandra possesses antioxidant, membrane stabilizing and analgesic activities.

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