Abstract
The antiinflammatory activity of the methanol:methylene chloride extract of the aerial parts of Schwenckia americana L. (Solanaceae) (SAE) and its mechanisms were evaluated. Bioactivity-guided studies on SAE and its fractions was done using the egg albumin-induced rat paw edema as activity guide. Further screening for anti-inflammatory activity was accomplished using the xylene-induced ear edema and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation. The putative anti-inflammatory mechanisms were studied using acetic acid-induced vascular permeability, carrageenan-induced neutrophil migration and heat- and hypotonic solution- induced hemolysis. Phytochemical analysis of SAE and fractions was carried out using standard procedures. Results showed that SAE and fractions significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited rat pedal edema development with the magnitude of inhibition increasing with fractionation of SAE in the order, fraction A > dichloromethane fraction > SAE. SAE also significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and topical edema development in the mouse ear. Granuloma tissue formation and neutrophils count in rats, and heat and hypotonic solution- induced hemolysis of ox erythrocytes were also inhibited. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of S. americana may partly be through membrane stabilization and inhibition of vascular permeability, neutrophil migration, cellular infiltration and proliferation. Phytochemical tests revealed the presence of terpenoids and steroids in the most active fraction. Key words: Schwenckia americana, anti-inflammatory, granuloma, ear edema, vascular permeability, neutrophil migration, membrane stabilization.
Highlights
Schwenckia americana L. (Solanaceae) is a weed native to Central and South America, but has spread to tropical Africa and India and is widely distributed in Nigeria, where it is variously called ‘Dandana’, ‘Farfetsi’ or ‘Daudanasor’ by Hausa, ‘Igbale odan’ or ‘Aleodan’ by Yoruba and ‘Ayafe dibia’ or ‘Aya dibia’ by Igbo tribes.Among communities in these tribes and beyond, S. americana is employed in traditional medicine practice for mitigation of a variety of disorders including sexually transmitted diseases and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (Iwu, 1993)
Phytochemical analysis showed that Schwenckia americana L. (SAE) gave positive reactions for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, resins, carbohydrates, glycosides and reducing sugars
The DCF tested positive to alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, resins and terpenoids; while Fraction A tested positive to resins, steroids and Phytochemical Constituent Alkaloids Carbohydrates Flavonoids Glycosides Reducing sugar Resins Saponins Steroids Tannins Terpenoids
Summary
(Solanaceae) is a weed native to Central and South America, but has spread to tropical Africa and India and is widely distributed in Nigeria, where it is variously called ‘Dandana’, ‘Farfetsi’ or ‘Daudanasor’ by Hausa, ‘Igbale odan’ or ‘Aleodan’ by Yoruba and ‘Ayafe dibia’ or ‘Aya dibia’ by Igbo tribes Among communities in these tribes and beyond, S. americana is employed in traditional medicine practice for mitigation of a variety of disorders including sexually transmitted diseases and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (Iwu, 1993). A leaf decoction is given to pregnant women when the fetus is suspected to be developing too slowly It is taken by nursing mothers to prevent diarrhea in the baby (Iwu, 1993). The pounded whole plant is used as fish poison (Iwu, 1993)
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