Phytochemical and pharmacological study of the flowers of Capparis spinosa l. For anti-inflammatory activity

Abstract

Inflammation is involved in numerous acute and chronic pathological conditions, while prolonged use of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs is associated with important adverse effects. The present investigation evaluated the pharmacognostical, phytochemical and anti-inflammatory properties of a hydroalcoholic extract of Capparis spinosa L. flowers (HECSF). Authenticated flowers were subjected to organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical evaluation. The shade-dried powder was defatted and extracted with 70% ethanol by maceration. Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute oral toxicity testing were performed, followed by carrageenan-induced paw oedema and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma studies in Wistar rats. Extraction of 500 g of flower powder produced 68.40 g of dried extract, corresponding to a yield of 13.68% w/w. The extract showed prominent reactions for phenolics and flavonoids and moderate reactions for tannins, glycosides and terpenoids. No mortality or evident toxicity was observed at 2000 mg/kg during the 14-day acute-toxicity assessment. HECSF produced dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw oedema. At the fifth hour, inhibition was 32.14% and 48.21% at 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively, compared with 66.07% for diclofenac sodium. In the cotton-pellet model, HECSF produced 20.13% and 34.28% inhibition of granuloma formation, whereas diclofenac produced 45.60% inhibition. The findings indicate that HECSF possesses promising dose-dependent activity against acute and chronic inflammation. Phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids may contribute collectively to the observed effects. However, isolation of active constituents, chemical standardization and pathway-specific investigations are required before a definite mechanism or therapeutic application can be established.