Phytochemical Screening and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Henna Leaves (Lawsonia inermis)

In traditional West African setting, plants are commonly used for cosmetic and medicinal benefits such as antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiparasitic effect of which Henna (Lawsonia inermis), a natural occurring plant of the lythraceae family is not an exception. A preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory properties of Lawsonia inermis leaves extracted with N-butanol and ethyl acetate was investigated. Standard analytical procedures were observed, and statistical analysis using ANOVA version 20.0 was conducted to analyze for mean ± standard deviation (SD) and the least significant difference (LSD) obtained from the study. Results revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, cyanogenic and cardiac glycosides; while In vivo anti-inflammatory activity wasobserved on a week old cockerel chicks induced carrageenan inflammation post extract administration, using aspirin tablet as control. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract as portrayed could be attributed to the plants rich phytochemical potential.