Phytochemical Screening and In vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity of the Stem of Coleus forskohlii

The extracts of Coleus forskohlii prepared by using hexane, chloroform, methanol, 80% methanol and water as solvents were screened for secondary metabolites and for its invitro anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, glycosides and cardiac glycosides and most of these compounds were observed in the aqueous, 80% methanol and methanolic extracts. DPPH antioxidant assay and the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity assays viz., BSA anti-denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization assay indicated that the aqueous and methanolic extracts of Coleus forskohlii possess constituents with anti-inflammatory properties. TLC profile of the methanolic extract confirmed the presence of forskolin, which is a major bioactive compound isolated from the roots of Coleus forskohlii. Of all the extracts that were tested for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, methanolic and aqueous extracts showed maximum activity.