In vitro Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities as well as Phytochemical Content of the Fresh Stem Juice from Montrichardia arborescens Schott (Araceae)

Background: Montrichardia arborescens Schott (Araceae) is traditionally used for treating, among others, inflammatory conditions, but so far without scientific evidence. In this study, the fresh stem juice was assessed for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities and phytochemical content. Methods: The stem juice’s anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using a heat-induced bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay and a hypotonicity-induced human erythrocyte membrane lysis assay. Its antioxidant activity was determined by a DPPH free radical-scavenging assay and a FRAP assay. Diclofenac and Trolox were used as reference compounds. Its phytochemical content was qualitatively explored by standard methods. Data (means ± SDs; n ≥ 3) were evaluated for statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) using ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc adjustments. Results: At ≥ 12.5% (v/v), the stem juice inhibited BSA denaturation by 50%-75% and membrane lysis by roughly 90%. At 0.20-7.0% (v/v), it did not affect BSA denaturation but stabilized membranes by > 50%. The juice scavenged DPPH free radicals at an EC₅₀ of 2.0 ± 0.2% (v/v) and achieved at that dilution an antioxidant power of 2,616 ± 16 μM Fe²⁺ equivalents. All the effects were in the range of those found with diclofenac 50 μg/mL and Trolox 1.0-6.0 μg/mL. The stem juice contained phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides. Conclusion: The M. arborescens stem juice exhibited appreciable anti-inflammatory activities that might mainly be associated with the inhibition of the release of inflammatory mediators, along with notable antioxidant activity, which might be attributable to phytochemicals with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.