PHYTOCONSTITUENTS AND In Vivo ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF ALCHORNEA CORDIFOLIA LEAVES IN WISTAR RATS

ABSTRACT

The leaves of Alchornea cordifolia, commonly known as the Christmas bush, have been traditionally used as an anti-inflammatory remedy in West Africa and Congo. This research investigated the phytoconstituents and the potential anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol extract of A. cordifolia using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. The A. cordifolia extract is prepared by dissolving ground plant materials (200g) in 1.2 L of methanol for 72 hours, filtered, and then exposed to evaporate before it was used for the pharmacological investigations. Standard phytochemical methods were used to test for the presence of phytoactive compounds. The qualitative screening of the phytochemical constituents of the A. cordifolia extract showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, eugenols, saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids and glycosides which have been reported in a plethora of studies to attenuate inflammation . The experimental animals were randomly divided into five groups (n=3). Antiinflammatory property of A. cordifolia extract at graded doses (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg orally) was investigated on carrageenan-induced inflammation at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 mins. The results showed a significant increase in the percentage inhibition of edema with prolong duration of action. At the highest percentage inhibition (35.4 %) at 800 mg/kg showed the best result when compared with the negative control group and other doses. The extract efficacy is dose-dependent with higher doses correlated with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect as shown from the reduced leg weights of the rats. In conclusion, the potential natural antiinflammatory agent observed from this study, elicited its pharmacokinetics and long-term effects adhering to the folklore claim.