Abstract
The aim of this study is to scientifically elucidate the effects of Ethanol Stem Bark Extract (ESBE) on inflammation, pyrexia and pains induced in rats and mice, following the claim that decoction from stem-bark of <em>Salacia Lehmbachii</em>(<em>SL</em>) is used in treating feverish and painful conditions in south-eastern parts of Nigeria. The anti-inflammatory activities of the ESBE of this plant were studied, using carrageenan and egg albumin-induced paw edemain albino Wistar rats;and antipyretic activities were examined, using Dinitrophenol and Brewer’s yeast- induced pyrexia in Wistar rats, while acetic acid- induced writhing and tail immersion models were used for analgesic study. LD<sub>50</sub> and ED<sub>50</sub> of the ESBE were carried out to determine its safety and dosing regimen, respectively. Thirty animals were randomly selected and grouped into five with six animals per group for each experiment. Group 1 and 5 (controls) received 20 mL/kg of distilled water and 150 mg/kg of aspirin and 10 mg/kg of morphine (tail immersion study) respectively; while groups 2 to 4 received 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg of the extract respectively. The ED<sub>50</sub> was 150 mg/kg. The ESBE of SL exhibited significant (p<0.05) dose related effects in all the experimental models. Doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg abolished the induced edema, induced pyrexia and pains, highly comparable to respective positive controls. Therefore, ESBE of <em>Salacia lehmbachii</em> possesses potent anti- inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities, likely resulting from its phytochemical constituents. Hence, its folkloric use in herbal medicines for pains and fever is justified.
Highlights
The reaction to any inflammatory phenomenon could include fever and pain which is characteristic responses by all living tissues
Phytochemical screening of the ethanol stembark extract revealed the presence of some active phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones and tannins
Effective dose: The result showed that ED50 of the ethanol stem bark extract of Salacia Lehmbachii (SL) was 150 mg/kg; doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg were conveniently used
Summary
The reaction to any inflammatory phenomenon could include fever and pain which is characteristic responses by all living tissues. These responses represent the usual symptoms implicated in many various clinical presentations irrespective of the causative factors (Dhara et al, 2000). This inflammatory reaction is complex and is brought about by cascade of various mediators like histamine, prostaglandins E2 and I2 etc. Salacia Lehmbachii (SL) is one of such plants It is a shrub-like to small tree of about three meters high and belongs to the family Celastraceae (Willcox and Bodeker, 2004). The aim of this study on the stem bark of SL is to prove scientifically, the claim by the traditional users that the ethanol extract of it possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities, by using experimental animal models
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