| dc.description.abstract | The Four-O’clock plant, also known as Mirabilis jalapa Linn. is a well-known ornamental
plant prized for its folklore remedies in many countries around the world. The objective
of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties
of hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, and aqueous extracts of M. jalapa tuberous
roots found in Sri Lanka in order to test the numerous claims made on the medicinal
properties of this plant. The plant extracts were prepared by cold maceration method
and concentrated using a rotary vacuum evaporator. The anti-in ammatory activity
was evaluated using the human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assay
and the egg albumin denaturation inhibition assay. The antibacterial activity was tested
against the most common wound pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and
Staphylococcus aureus) by both disc and well di usion methods. The methanol extract
demonstrated the highest anti-in ammatory potency in the egg albumin denaturation
inhibition assay (IC50= 137.8 g/mL), whereas the aqueous extract demonstrated the highest
potency in the HRBC method (IC50 = 197.4 g/mL). All four extracts showed no discernible
antibacterial activity. However, in the well di usion method, the dichloromethane extract
against S. aureus had the highest inhibitory zone, measuring 15:33 0:33 mm, at the
concentration of 400 mg/ml. Hexane extract had the second-highest inhibitory zone,
measuring 14:00 2:08 mm at the same concentration. This study shows that M.
jalapa’s tuberous roots have promising anti-inflammatory properties with no significant
antibacterial efficacy against the selected pathogens. | en_US |
