Comparative In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Aqueous and Ethanol Root Extracts of Croton Gratissimus

Adedoyin Olasunkanmi & Oluwafisayomi Oluwakeyede , Volume 6 Issue 1, July 2025 Pages 130-149, Published: 2025-07-03

Abstract

This study examines the root extracts of Croton gratissimus, a plant that is frequently used in traditional medicine, for their in vitro anti-inflammatory properties. Aqueous and ethanol solvents were used in two extraction techniques to assess the plant's phytochemical makeup and anti-inflammatory properties. The study looked at whether both extracts contained bioactive substances such quinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, and saponins. The quantitative and quantitative study showed that the aqueous extract contained flavonoids (0.76%), terpenoids (2.62%), carbohydrate (23.8%) and saponins (10.74%), while the ethanol extracts contained flavonoids (0.24%), terpenoids (8.98%), carbohydrate (28.22%) and saponins (3.94%). Membrane stabilization, anti-lipoxygenase, anti-proteinase, and albumin denaturation assays were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity. Despite being less effective than common medications like Diclofenac and Indomethacin, both extracts showed strong anti-inflammatory potential. The aqueous extract was consistently more effective at preventing enzyme activity and stabilizing red blood cells. The findings suggest that C. gratissimus root extracts could serve as a natural alternative for managing inflammation, with solvent choice playing a critical role in optimizing bioactive compound extraction