An investigation of traditional uses and anti-inflammatory property of Clematis buchananiana De Candolle and Tupistra nutans Wall. ex Lindl.: Native ethnomedicinal plants from Sikkim, India

Abstract

In the traditional medicinal system of Sikkim Clematis buchananiana and Tupistra nutans is used extensively to treat various ailments, however, they have not been validated for their anti-inflammatory property by in vitro method. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate specific ethnomedicinal uses, in-vitro anti-inflammatory property, and phytochemical constituents of Clematis buchananiana and Tupistra nutans. The ethnomedicinal usage was studied by calculating the value for fidelity level, use-value, and informant consensus factor. Stabilization of human red blood cell membrane and protein denaturation method was used to study anti-inflammatory property. The phytochemicals were analysed by the methods described elsewhere. Clematis buchananiana was found to be used more frequently for sinusitis, headache, cold and Tupistra nutans for high blood pressure, diabetes and stomach-ache. Both C. buchananiana and T. nutans was found to inhibit the HRBC membrane and protein denaturation effectively in a dose-dependent manner. However, inhibition of haemolysis and protein denaturation by C. buchananiana was found to be higher than T. nutans at all doses. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of
anti-inflammatory metabolites such as flavonoids and phenolics in both the plants. The results provide evidence for the anti-inflammatory property of C. buchananiana and T. nutans.