Abstract
Various parts of the perennial herb Hilleria latifolia (Lam.) H. Walt. (Family: Phytolaccaceae) are used in Ghanaian traditional medicine for the treatment of several inflammatory-related disorders. The present study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of an ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Hilleria latifolia (HLE) in acute and chronic inflammation models. Since free radicals and reactive oxygen species are implicated in inflammatory diseases, the antioxidant potential of HLE was also investigated in in vitro experimental models. HLE (10-300 mg kg(-1), p.o.), either preemptively or curatively, significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced foot oedema in 7-day old chicks. Similarly, the NSAID diclofenac (10-100 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and the steroidal anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone (0.3-3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) dose-dependently reduced the oedema in both pre-emptive and curative treatments. In the Freund's adjuvant induced-arthritis model in rats, HLE as well as the positive controls, dexamethasone and methotrexate, showed significant anti-arthritic properties when applied to established adjuvant arthritis. HLE (10-300 mg kg(-1), p.o.) significantly reduced oedema in the ipsilateral paw of rats but failed to prevent systemic arthritic spread. The DMARD methotrexate (0.1-1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and dexamethasone (0.3-3 mg kg(-1), i.p.) reduced significantly the total polyarthritic oedema as well as the spread of the arthritis from the ipsilateral to the contralateral paws of the treated animals. The extract (0.03-1.00 mg ml(-1)) exhibited Fe(3+) reducing activity, scavenged DPPH and prevented lipid peroxidation. These findings suggest that the extract exerts in vivo anti-inflammatory activity after oral administration and also has antioxidant properties which may contribute to its activity.
Highlights
Inflammatory diseases continue to be one of the main health problems of the world’s population
The present study examined the effect of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of H. latifolia on acute and chronic inflammation
Administration of carrageenan (10 μl, 2 % suspension) induced moderate inflammation resulting in foot oedema in the 7-day old chicks peaking at 2-3 h as described by Roach and Sufka (2003)(Figure 1)
Summary
Inflammatory diseases continue to be one of the main health problems of the world’s population. In Ghanaian traditional medicine, various parts of several plants are used either alone or in combination therapy in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. (Family: Phytolaccaceae) is a perennial herb that is common on cultivated grounds and along forest paths in Ghana. It occurs in other parts of tropical Africa as well as South America. In Ghanaian traditional medicine, different parts of the plant have been used in a variety of diseases. There is little scientific evidence to support the traditional use of H. latifolia in the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases and the possible mechanisms involved
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