Isolation, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Boswellia Serrata Stem Bark from Jalingo, Taraba State

Abstract

Boswellia serrata is widely recognized in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties, yet, limited data exist on its bioactivities in Taraba State, Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the phytochemical properties, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the methanolic stem bark extracts of Boswellia serrata obtained from Jalingo local government area of Taraba State. The anti-inflammatory activity of the crude extract was determined using albumin denaturation method while the antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH Method. Column chromatography was carried out to obtain the pure isolated compounds. FT-IR and GC-MS were used to determine the functional groups and identification of compounds respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, phenols and flavonoids. Other phytochemicals revealed include terpenoids, glycosides, quinones and phlobatanins. Three fractions coded BS001, BS002, BS003 were obtained from column chromatography of the crude extracts of Boswellia serrata. The assay for anti-inflammatory activity revealed that Boswellia serrata has very significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The FT-IR analysis for B. serrata revealed peaks at 3395.6 cm^-1, 2935.1 cm^-1, 2872.2 cm^-1, 2227.2 cm^-1, 1717.0 cm^-1 and 1462.1 cm^-1 which were assigned to hydroxyl group, carboxylic group, alkanes, alkynes and carbonyl groups.