Abstract
Inflammation causes discomfort, suffering and lower productivity of the victims. Synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs are not readily available and have adverse side effects. Alternative herbal medicines possess bioactive compounds that are safer and efficient in the management of various diseases and disorders. The present study evaluated for the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extracts of Kigelia africana and Acacia hockii in mice to scientifically validate their traditional use among the Embu and Mbeere communities in Kenya. The plant samples were collected with the help of local herbalists in Embu County, Kenya and transported to Kenyatta University biochemistry and biotechnology laboratories for cleaning, air drying, milling, and extraction. Swiss albino mice of either sex were randomly divided into six groups of 5 animals each; normal control, negative control, positive control and three experimental groups. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema method. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was compared to reference drug diclofenac. The leaf extract of K. africana reduced inflamed hind paw diameter of mice by between 0.21%- 4.98% while the stem bark extract of A. hockii reduced inflamed hind paw diameter by between 0.6%-5.38%. The diclofenac reduced inflamed hind paw diameter by between 1.11%-4.9%. The qualitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of saponins, flavonoid, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and cardiac glycosides. The present study demonstrated potent antiinflammatory activities of methanolic extracts of K. africana and A. hockii in a dose-dependent manner, which supports their traditional use. The present study, therefore, recommends the ethnomedicinal use of K. africana and A. hockii in the management of inflammation.
Highlights
Inflammation refers to body’s normal protective response to tissue injury caused by physical trauma, toxic chemicals or microbiological agents [1]
The methanolic leaf extract of K. africana showed significant antiinflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced paw edema, which was demonstrated by the reduction in inflamed hind paw diameter after extract administration (Figure 1; Table 2)
The leaf extract of A. hockii at the dosage of 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg body weight as well as the diclofenac reduced inflamed paw diameter by 0.42%, 1.42% and 2.8% respectively (Figure 1; Table 2)
Summary
Inflammation refers to body’s normal protective response to tissue injury caused by physical trauma, toxic chemicals or microbiological agents [1]. The process of inflammation involves changes in blood flow, destruction of tissues, increased vascular permeability and the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators [3]. The most important inflammatory mediators include bradykinins, serotonins, histamine, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, leukotrienes, phospholipase A2, nitric oxide (NO), lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) [3,4]. The acute inflammation occurs a few minutes after tissue damage. It is characterized by an increase in permeability of blood vessels, extravasation of fluid and proteins and accumulation of white blood cells for a short period [5]. The primary mediators of acute inflammation include histamine, serotonin, and C0X-2 [6]. Chronic inflammation is mediated by inflammatory mediators such as PGE2, nitric oxide and lipoxygenases. Chronic inflammation may results in ailments such as chronic peptic ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, asthma, chronic periodontitis and cancer [8]
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