Project Materials

THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF Crateva adansonii DICHLOROMETHANE FRACTION

ABSTRACT

Because non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can produce side effects like kidney failure and heart disease, Crateva adansonii is a common therapeutic herb in areas of Africa. Although inflammation is a major global public health concern, the adverse effects of anti-inflammatory pharmacological medications are making therapy more difficult. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an alternate medication. Using a rodent model, this study examined the dichloromethane fraction of the methanol extract of the stem bark of Crateva adansonii’s anti-inflammatory properties. Five sets of four adult Swiss albino rats (weighing between 110 and 200 grammes) of each sex were randomly assigned. Different dosages of the extract (300 mg, 500 mg, 700 mg, and 900 mg) in 3% v/v tween 80 were given intraperitoneally to groups 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The standards group was given 100 mg/kg of Ibuprofen, while control group 1 was given a volume of 3%v/v tween 80. one injection of 0.1 ml of undiluted egg albumin into the subplanter of the rats’ right paw caused severe inflammation one hour later. Mercury displacement was used to assess the paw’s volume prior to and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 hours following the injection of egg albumin. The standard was measured at 1-hour intervals for a maximum of 4 hours. The difference between the injected pair’s volume at zero time per volume and its volume at various times following egg albumin injection was used to measure the formation of oedema. The % inhibition of the oedema was computed for every extract dosage. According to the results, Crateva adansonii might have anti-inflammatory properties. This discovery bolsters the use of Crateva adansonii stem bark in traditional medicine for purposes other than inflammatory therapy.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Over the past ten years, research on analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications has received a lot of attention (Farouk et al., 2008). Still, there aren’t many new medications. The majority of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs on the market have side effects that can be fatal, such as bleeding or gastroduodenal tract perforation (Buttgereit et al., 2001).

The urge to find more potent substances with fewer side effects arises as a result. Reactive oxygen species and free radicals are byproducts of many physiological and metabolic processes.

Numerous culinary and agricultural items, including seeds, roots, and stem bark, have been shown to naturally contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Numerous plant species have been studied in an effort to find natural antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to the conventional sources of antioxidants.

Interest in using plants as a source for novel medicinal medications has grown and revitalised. Crateva Adansonii, often referred to as the garlic pear, temple plant, and many other names in other dialects, has been examined since it is thought to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect. (Banias and others, 1992).

In order to contain a site of change, localise the responses, and restore tissue function, the body coordinates its responses to antigenic stimuli from injuries and infections.

This process is known as anti-inflammation. It includes the destruction or removal of infectious material, the local reaction and morphological changes that follow local damage to vascularised tissues, etc. Koch (1972).

1.1 Adansonii Crateva

The flowering tree, genus Crateva, family Capparaceae, is known as the sacred garlic pear and temple plant. Due of the long, spidery stamens that are produced by the ostentatious flowers, the tree is frequently referred to as the spider tree. It is indigenous to a number of South Pacific islands, Japan, Australia, and a large portion of Southeast Asia.

It is grown for its fruit elsewhere, particularly in regions of Africa. The tree’s fruit is edible. Many insects and birds are drawn to the nectar-filled blossoms. This shrub frequently receives visits from the pierid butterfly (Hebomoiaglaucippe).

This plant’s rough back has a slight greenish tint, especially after it’s dried up. Since the stem, root, and leaves of this plant are usually used for therapeutic purposes, it is appropriate and significant to concentrate on studying the stem bark’s anti-inflammatory properties.