Neuroprotective and Anti‑inflammatory Activities of Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco. Materials and Methods: Sequential Soxhlet extraction of titled plant material was carried out. Phytochemical analysis was performed using standard procedures. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was estimated along with in vitro antioxidant property of the extracts which was assessed by ferric ion‑reducing power assay, phosphomolybdenum assay, 2,2‑diphenyl‑2‑picrylhydrazyl assay, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay. Further, the extracts were assessed for anti‑inflammatory property by in vitro protein denaturation assay, whereas neuroprotective activity was performed by pretreatment 3‑(4,5‑dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, anthraquinones, glycosides, lignins, and sterols. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed that the aqueous extract possessed high phenolic content and methanol extract possessed high flavonoid content when compared to other extracts. All the extracts showed antioxidant activity revealed through different assays. Among all the extracts, methanol extract showed significant anti‑inflammatory activity with 85.32 ± 1.63 percentage inhibition of protein degradation. Methanol extract at the concentration of 5 μg showed comparatively significant neuroprotection against trimethyltin (TMT)‑induced toxicity with 70.02% SK‑S‑NH cell survival against 56.30% cell survival TMT‑intoxicated group. Conclusion: The leaf extracts of A. corniculatum possess antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.