THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF Crateva adansonii DICHLOROMETHANE FRACTION

THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF Crateva adansonii DICHLOROMETHANE FRACTION

ABSTRACT

Crateva adansonii is a medicinal herb that is widely used in Africa to treat the negative effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as heart disease and kidney failure. Inflammation is a serious public health concern around the world, but treatment is becoming more complicated due to the negative effects of anti-inflammatory pharmacological medicines. As a result, there is a huge demand for alternative drugs. Using a rodent model, this study explored the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the dichloromethane fraction of a methanol extract of Crateva adansonii stem bark. Adult Swiss albino rats (110-200g) of either sex were randomly assigned to five groups of four animals each. Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received varying amounts of the extract (300mg, 500mg, 700mg, and 900mg) in 3% v/v tween 80 given intraperitoneally, respectively. Control group-1 received a litre of 3%v/v tween 80, whereas the standards group received 100mg/kg Ibuprofen. One hour later, acute inflammation was generated by injecting 0.1ml of undiluted egg albumin into the subplanter of rats’ right hand paw. The volume of the paw was determined by mercury displacement before and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 hours after egg albumin injection, whereas the standard was measured at one hour intervals for up to 4 hours. Oedema formation was measured as the difference between the injected pair’s zero time per volume and its volume at various time points following egg albumin injection. The % inhibition of oedema at each dose of extract was calculated. Results indicate that Crateva adansonii may have anti-inflammatory properties. This study lends credence to the use of Crateva adansonii stem bark in traditional medicine for inflammatory management.

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Over the last decade, there has been a lot of interest in analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication research. However, the number of new medications has remained low.

Most analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs on the market have side effects, including life-threatening bleeding or perforation of the gastroduodenal tract (Buttgereit et al. 2001). As a result, there is a need to find more active chemicals that have fewer side effects.

Free radicals and reactive oxygen species are byproducts of many physiological and biological reactions. Natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties have been discovered in a variety of culinary and agricultural items, including seeds, roots, and stem bark.

Aside from standard antioxidants, various plant species have been studied in quest of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Plants are becoming increasingly popular as a source of new medicinal medications.

Crateva Adansonii, also known as the garlic pear and temple plant, among other names in many dialects, has been shown to have a strong anti-inflammatory effect and is thus being explored further. (Banias et al, 1992).

Anti-inflammation is thus defined as the process by which the body responds to antigenic stimuli from injuries and infections in a coordinated manner in order to contain a site of change, localise the response, and restore tissue function.

It includes the reaction of vascularised tissues to local injury, the local reaction and subsequent morphological changes, the destruction or removal of infectious material, and so on. (Koch 1972).

1.1 Crateva Adansonii.

The flowering tree is known as the sacred garlic pear or temple plant, genus Crateva, family Capparaceae. The tree is sometimes known as the spider tree because its spectacular blossoms have long, spidery filaments. It is indigenous to Japan, Australia, much of Southeast Asia, and some South Pacific islands.

It is also grown for fruit in other parts of the world, particularly Africa. The fruit from the tree is edible. The nectar-filled flowers attract a variety of insects and birds. The pierid butterfly (Hebomoiaglaucippe) frequently visits this plant.

The rough back of this plant is slightly greenish, especially when dried. Most of the bark of this plant’s stem, root, and leaves are medicinal, so focussing on the study of the stem bark for anti-inflammatory function is extremely appropriate and significant.