Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical Investigations, and In Vitro Anti-arthritic Activity of Adiantum venustum D. Don

Abstract

The present investigation deals with pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical analysis, and in vitro anti-arthritic activity of ethanolic extracts of Adiantum venustum D. Don. The macroscopic and microscopic characters, physical constant values, extractive values, ash values, color analysis, and fluorescence analysis were performed. The stems were 13–14 cm in size while leaves were 3–5 mm. Stems were straight with nodes while leaves were triangular and fan shaped. Transverse section of aerial parts of A. venustum showed epidermis consists of closely packed cells with single layer. No intercellular space was found. Endodermis is indistinct. On microscopic examination, the powder showed wavy epidermis, parenchyma cells, Phloem, fiber, trichome, brownish matter, and crystals. Physical constants performed were loss on drying, ash content, acid insoluble ash, and water soluble ash. Extractive values in chloroform and alcohol were determined. Fluorescence studies of the powder were carried in UV, UVB, and day light with various solvents. Phytochemical screening of successive extracts showed positive reactions for steroids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenols, and tannins. In vitro anti-arthritic activity was performed by the inhibition of protein denaturation method. The ethanolic extracts of aerial parts exhibited remarkable anti-arthritic action. The protein denaturation was also found to be maximum at 75.293 ± 0.735 and 79.956 ± 0.9 % at a dose of 500 μg/mL by protein denaturation egg albumin and bovine serum albumin method, respectively.