Evaluation of the Leaf Extracts of Kalanchoe pinnata and Kalanchoe daigremontiana Chemistry, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity

The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical components and evaluate the biological activity of the extracts from the leaves Kalanchoe pinnata andKalanchoe daigremontiana, which are cultivated in the province of Chiriqui, Republic of Panama.Phytochemicals components, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were studied. Thecomposition of the obtained petroleum ether, ethanol and aqueous extracts was analyzed by phytochemical screening. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was studied using three in vitro model systems (DPPH radical scavenging assay, nitric oxide radical scavenging assay, and superoxide radical scavenging activity). The anti-inflammatory activity ofthese species was studied using an in vivomodel (ʎ-carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats). Phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins and glycosides. The greatest radical inhibitory effect was observed in the DPPH model where the ethanolic extracts of both species developed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect, the K. pinnataextract reached a maximum inhibitory effect of 49.5 ± 5.6% (2000 g /mL) and K. daigremontiana34.7 ± 3.1% (1000 g /mL). The aqueous extract and the petrol ether extract (100 mg/kg) of K. daigremontianashowed high anti-inflammatory effect compared to diclofenac (100 mg/kg) used as a positive control, while the rest of the extracts showed slight effects. Our results showed that the two evaluated species exhibited a similar chemical composition. However, K. pinnataextracts showed better antioxidant activity while those of K. daigremontianahad better anti-inflammatory activity.