PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF STEM BARK OF PRIDE OF BARBADOS (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)

Abstract

Pride of barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) was investigated based on its ethnomedicinal importance and previous report, the stem bark extracts of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw. (Leguminosae) was investigated for its phytochemical and anti-inflammatory activities. Dried pulverized stem bark of C. pulcherrima were extracted with ethanol. The phytochemical constituents, proximate components and anti-inflammatory activity were carried out using standard methods. Phytochemical analysis showed that the stem bark contained saponins, steroids, tannins, glycosides, phenolics, terpenoids and alkaloids. The results for the proximate analysis were (9.07±0.52 %), (8.0±1.07 %), (12.33±0.20 %), (5.4±0.12 %), (1.0±0.20 %), (2.5±0.1 %) for the total ash, moisture content, crude fiber, crude fat, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash respectively. From the anti-inflammatory analyses carried out, it was observed that the stem bark of C. pulcherrima had significant anti-inflammatory activity with the dose 200mg/kg being the most effective. Keywords: Caesalpinia pulcherrima, phytochemical screening, proximate analyses, Formalin-induced Rat Paw, diterpenoids.