Phytochemical screening and evaluation of pharmacological activities of Clerodendrum viscosum methanolic leaves extract

Abstract

Clerodendrum viscosum Vent. (Family: Verbenaceae) is a well-documented medicinal plant extensively used in traditional medicine systems across South Asia for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties. This study aimed to explore the phytochemical composition and evaluate various pharmacological effects of the methanolic extract of Clerodendrum viscosum leaves. Standardized phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, steroids, and saponins. Pharmacological assays were conducted to determine analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic properties using established in vivo and in vitro models, including brine shrimp lethality bioassay, DPPH radical scavenging method, disc diffusion antimicrobial assay, and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The results demonstrated significant pharmacological activities in all tested models, validating its traditional therapeutic use. The extract exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity (LC₅₀ = 7.13 µg/ml), potent antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ = 16.36 µg/ml), broad-spectrum antimicrobial inhibition, and strong analgesic effect comparable to standard drugs. These findings support further studies to isolate bioactive compounds and understand their molecular mechanisms, affirming the potential of Clerodendrum viscosum as a source of therapeutic agents.