Comparative In-Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Clitoria Ternatea and Cassia Auriculata Flower Extracts

Abstract

Background:
Oxidative stress and inflammation are closely interconnected processes involved in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic diseases. Medicinal flowers used in traditional Indian medicine, such as Clitoria ternatea and Cassia auriculata, are rich in phytochemicals with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, direct comparative experimental evidence remains limited.

Objective:
To comparatively evaluate the in-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of methanolic flower extracts of C. ternatea and C. auriculata using standardized biochemical assays.

Methods:
Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH radical scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein denaturation and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization methods at concentrations of 200–1000 µg/mL. IC₅₀ values were determined from concentration–response curves.

Results:
C. ternatea demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity, with a lower DPPH IC₅₀ (143.85 µg/mL) and higher FRAP reducing capacity compared with C. auriculata. It also showed greater inhibition of BSA denaturation (IC₅₀ = 929.19 µg/mL vs 2134.45 µg/mL). In contrast, both extracts exhibited marked HRBC membrane stabilization at higher concentrations, with C. auriculata showing slightly higher stabilization at 1000 µg/mL (98.21%), comparable to diclofenac (97.62%).

Conclusion:
Both medicinal flowers demonstrated significant in-vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities with complementary pharmacological profiles. C. ternatea showed comparatively stronger radical-scavenging and protein-protective effects, whereas C. auriculata exhibited notable membrane-stabilizing activity. Further phytochemical characterization and in-vivo studies are required to confirm their therapeutic potential.