In vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of aqueous extract of Emilia sonchifolia

Emilia sonchifolia, an annual herb belonging to the Asteraceae family, has long been recognized for its potential in treating cutaneous infections, inflammation, and wounds. This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects of Emilia sonchifolia using protein denaturation assay and Acid Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) methods. The acid neutralizing capacity method revealed that the extract significantly reduced acidity to 8.35 at a concentration of 1000 mg/ml, outperforming the standard Aluminum hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide combination which achieved a value of 13.2 at 500 mg/ml. Furthermore, the results from the protein denaturation assay demonstrated a positive correlation between increased concentration and percentage inhibition of inflammation. The extract exhibited the highest inhibition percentage of 44.99 at a concentration of 200 µg/ml, and the standard diclofenac sodium achieved 84.120 at 100 µg/ml. These findings underscore the remarkable medicinal potential of aqueous extract of Emilia sonchifolia, particularly in its applications as an anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer agent. In summary, the aqueous extract of Emilia sonchifolia demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity across various concentrations, when compared to the effectiveness of the standard drug diclofenac sodium. Additionally, the extract displayed anti-ulcer activity when compared to the standard Aluminum hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide combination. Phytochemical analysis unveiled the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, and carbohydrates in Emilia sonchifolia. These phytochemical constituents likely contribute to the extract's protective properties against protein denaturation and its anti-ulcer effects.