Phytochemical Investigation and HPTLC Fingerprinting Analysis of Selaginella bryopteris Ethanolic Plant Extract for Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities in Animals

Abstract The present study was performed to determine analgesia and anti-inflammatory activities of whole plant extract of Selaginella bryopteris on animals. The extract of S. bryopteris whole plant was performed using ethanol (70%) as a solvent. The phytochemical investigation of plant extract was done to evaluated secondary metabolites present in the plant. It was further characterized using HPTLC technique to identify active constituents present in the S. bryopteris extract. The efficacy of plant extract was evaluated using the hot plate method and tail flick method against pain and carrageenan-induced paw oedema model against inflammation. Results exhibited that S. bryopteris extract possesses alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrate, protein and amino acids, steroids, vitamins, gums and mucilages. HPTLC fingerprinting analysis revealed the presence of gallic acid and rutin as active constituents present in the plant extract. S. bryopteris extract showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, it can be used as a safer alternative drug against pain and inflammation in comparison to existing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).