Phytochemical and Pharmacological Assessment of the Ethanol Leaves Extract of Heritiera fomes Buch. Ham. (Family- Sterculiaceae)

Purpose: The current study was themed to phytochemical and pharmacological investigation to determine anti-nociceptive, antioxidant and analgesic activity to give an appropriate guide for future exploration. Methods: Standard test methods were used to explore phytochemical constituents. The acetic acid-induced writhing model was applied to inspect chemical anti-nociceptive effect while thermal nociception was evaluated by hot plate model. DPPH assay was the choice of method for quantitative determination of antioxidant activity. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by disc diffusion assay method. Results: Phytochemical exploration of leaves extract demonstrated the presence of Reducing sugars, Saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, steroids, Flavonoids and Gums. The extract illustrated statistically significant anti-nociceptive activity (P<0.01) in dose dependent manner both chemically and thermally. Significant free radical scavenging activity in 1,1Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was illustrated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitatively, it disclosed stable DPPH radical scavenging activity with the IC50 value of 26.30 µg/mL. The extract also showed significant antimicrobial activity against a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: It can be disclosed that the leaves extract of Heritiera fomes possess significant anti-nociceptive, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The potential of these activities may be due to the presence of phyto-constituents reported in the phytochemical tests and justify its uses as a habitual folk medicine.