Phytochemical Screening, in vitro Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of Jatropha curcas

The wide range of secondary metabolites in medicinal plant extracts are used to treat and manage various diseases worldwide. Medicinal plants, such as Jatropha curcas, have played crucial roles in effectively treating a range of diseases, including bacterial and fungal infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the phytochemical constituent, in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas. Phytochemical screening of Jatropha curcas was determined using standard procedures. The antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity assays; and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was monitored using protein inhibitory assay and albumin denaturation assays. The Phytochemical screening revealed that aqueous extract of J. curcas had the presence of Tannins, Steroid, Saponin, Alkaloid, Cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, Terpenoids and Anthraquinones. The result also revealed that the DPPH scavenging activity and Hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity of the different concentrations (0.2, 04, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0mg/ml) of the aqueous extract of J. curcas had a significant increase in the activity of scavenging DPHH compared to the standard (Ascorbic acid). Also, the protein inhibitory and albumin denaturation activity of the extract at different concentrations significantly increased compared to the standard (Aspirin). In conclusion, the aqueous extract of Jatropha curcas exhibited an antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effect possibly due to the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation.