The present study was intended to evaluate the in vitro (COX-1/COX-2) and in vivo anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activity of newer phytoconstituents isolated from the aerial parts of Swertia alata C.B. Clarke (Gentianaceae). For isolation of newer phytoconstituents, the ethanolic extract of aerial parts of S. alata was subjected to column chromatography using mixture of petroleum ether and chloroform in various concentrations, which yielded two phytoisolates characterised as nonacosyl triacontanoate (SA-3) and 8-O-glucpyranosyl-(2-acetyl)-1,3-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-xanthone (SA-9). Identification of compounds was based on melting point, UV, FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectrometric data. The isolates were screened for in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibitory activity, in vivo anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activity. Among the two compounds, SA-3 was found to be more effective than SA-9. The ulcerogenic study revealed significant gastric tolerance of SA-3 and SA-9 in comparison to indomethacin.
Keywords: Phytochemistry; chemical methods; chromatographic; partitioned; phytoconstituents.