AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN-VIVO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF RHIPSALIS BACCIFERA

Abstract

The mistletoe cactus, or Rhipsalis baccifera, belongs to the epiphytic cactus native to Florida, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Additionally, it may be encountered in Sri Lanka, where it is referred to as nawahandi in Sinhala, as well as the tropical regions of Africa.The only species of cactus that naturally exists outside of the Americas is this one. The purpose of this study was to investigate R. baccifera's potential for its anti-inflammatory properties and phytochemical components. Standard procedures were used to extract the bioactive components, and then phytochemical screening was carried out. Flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and glycosides were found to be present. Utilizing in vivo designs, anti-inflammatory efficacy was evaluated, and significant suppression of inflammation was noted. The results imply that R. baccifera has potential as a naturally anti-inflammatory medication source. It is necessary to do more research to extract and pinpoint the precise active ingredients causing its anti-inflammatory effects.

KEY-WORDS: Inflammation, Carrageenan, Rhipsalis baccifera, Glycosides