Anti-inflammatory activity and mechanism of action of ethanolic leaf extract of Benth.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Most developing countries resort to medicinal plants for treating diseases, but few of these have scientific backing for their use. The aim of the study was to validate traditional use of leaves in treating inflammation and determine the mechanism of action.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Effect of hydroethanolic leaf extract of ( on localized inflammation was evaluated using rat paw edema presented by sub-planter injections of λ-carrageenan, histamine or serotonin in separate experiments. Systemic inflammation was evaluated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hyperthermia. Antioxidant activity of HEML was also evaluated using the free-radical scavenging assay.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

No mortalities were recorded in acute toxicity assay after administering 5000 mg/kg to rats. It showed very good activity against localized and systemic inflammation in inverse dose-dependent manner and caused reduction in nitric oxide and prostaglandin E-2 levels by affecting expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, but not cyclooxygenases-2 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrotic factor, but elevated levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 . contains saponins, reducing sugars, polyphenols and flavonoids and showed antioxidant activity with EC = 0.6415 ± 0.0027 mg/ml. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that possesses anti-inflammatory activity, possibly through modulation of production of early/late phase inflammation mediators.