Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Effects of Methanol Extract of Rauwofia vomitera Leaves (MERVL) Using In-vivo Based Assays
Ugwu Obiora Celestine
*
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Nigeria and Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Ukpabi-Ugo Chigozie Jacinta
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State, Nigeria.
Asadu Chidinma Lilian
Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Esut, Parklane, Nigeria.
Ali Ibeabuchi Jude
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Nigeria.
Asogwa Felix Keneolisa
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Nigeria.
Ugodi Gerald Walter
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Nigeria.
Obasi Uchenna Emmanuel
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Nigeria.
Ogbonna Chidera Gloria
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences, Igbo Eno. Enugu State, Nigeria.
Nwokedi Chukwuebuka Kingsley
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Nigeria.
Anosike Chioma Assumpta
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background of the Study: The response of the body to harmful stimuli, such as tissue damage or a pathogenic infection is known as inflammation. Rauwofia vomitera is a medicinal plant that is native to large areas of tropical Africa and it belongs to the family of Apocynaceae. It is a medicinal herb used in traditional Nigerian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including inflammatory disorders.
Aim of the Study:The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of methanol extract of Rauwofia vomitera leaves (MERVL) using in-vivo based assays.
Methodology: The anti-inflammatory effect of (MERVL) was ascertained using the Egg albumin -induced inflammation using in vivo assay. A total of thirty (30) adult male albino rats (130-170g) were divided into five (5) groups of six (6) rats each for the in-vivo anti-inflammatory assay. Group 1 normal; Group 2 was given 10 mg/kg body weight of Indomethacin and Groups 3, 4 and 5 were given 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of MERVL) respectively. Acute toxicity was carried out using standard method.
Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pharmacology Lab, Enugu State of University of Science and Technology Agbani Nigeria, between March 2021 and August 2021.
Results: The percentage yield of the extract was 10.8%. The result of the quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening of methanol extract of R. vomitoria leaves showed that Phenol (1590 ± 55.66) Flavonoid (1168 ± 11.43) and Tannin (1466 ± 40.73) were present in high concentration whereas, Alkaloid (549 ± 4.21) Glycoside (315 ± 61.38) and Terpenoid (162 ± 1.38) were present in moderate concentration. Saponin (1.16 ± 0.23) and Steroid (0.84 ± 0.03) were present in low concentrations. Acute toxicity tests showed no toxicity and mortality at doses up to 5000 mgkg-1. A significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the mean paw oedema was observed for all the treatment groups from 1 hour to 12 hours when compared to the normal group. The result shown that groups treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w of extract inhibit the inflammation in a non-dose dependent manner with percentage mobilization of 5.7%, 14.1% and 6.2% respectively.
Conclusion: The study's results demonstrate that MERVL exhibits remarkable anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities and the extract yielded a better reduction in edema and increases mobilization in leukocyte in response to agar suspension. It also demonstrates that MERVL has a modulatory effect on the vascular changes that accompany inflammation. The plant's anti-inflammatory properties could potentially result from the interaction of different photochemical substances present. The findings suggest that, if used, the plant may serve as a source of anti-inflammatory agents.
Keywords: Rauwofia VOMITERA, egg albumin, anti-inflammatory, leucocyte mobilization, methanol extract