Untargeted Metabolomics Profiling of Ethanolic Extract of Garcinia microphylla Merr. Stem Bark and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anti- Inflammatory Activities

Garcinia microphylla Merr. is a species within the Garcinia genus that has not been studied yet. This study was conducted to determine the metabolite profile via LC-HRMS in the ethanolic extract of G. microphylla , as well as to analyse Total Phenolic Content (TPC), Total Flavonoid Content (TFC), and the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities both in vitro and in vivo. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino- bis -3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) methods, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in vitro through heat and hypotonic-induced haemolysis inhibition tests, antiproteinase tests, and protein denaturation inhibition tests. In vivo, tests were conducted on paw oedema and peritonitis inhibition in rats induced by carrageenan. Numerous active compounds were detected in the LC-HRMS results, including phenolic compounds, terpenoid groups, coumarins, and fatty acids; this is corroborated by the high TPC and TFC levels observed in ethanolic extracts. It is established that G. microphylla extract has potential as an anti-inflammatory agent, with the treatment group demonstrating significant differences compared to the control group, and no significant differences when compared to the standard sodium diclofenac. This is supported by its antioxidant activity and the abundance of compounds in the extract.