Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Methanol Extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum stem bark on Formalin induced paw oedema in Albino Rats.

Abstract

Chrysophyllum albidum has reputation in Nigeria as remedy for different ailments. This study evaluated the methanol extract of C. albidum stem bark for its phyto-constituents, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in Albino rats. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using standard procedures while the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were determined using formalin-induced acute paw edema and nociception in rat respectively. The results of the phytochemical screening indicated the presence of anthraquinones, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins and phlobatannins. The percentage inhibition of the paw oedema was calculated to be 39.09%, 37.27%, 53.63% and 62.72% for groups treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg body weight of methanol extract of C. albidum stem bark and diclofenac respectively, with the group treated with 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract having the highest percentage inhibition amongst the extract-treated groups. The analgesic effect was evaluated by calculating the paw-licking rate within 60 minutes after induction of oedema. The values were calculated to be 239.75 ± 13.91, 159.65 ± 11.62, 75.72 ± 5.31, 65.08 ± 9.71 and 292.04 ± 11.88 for groups treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/ kg body weight of the extract, 5 mg/kg body weight of the standard drug (diclofenac) and the negative control group (induced, but not treated) respectively. It can be concluded from the result obtained in this study that methanol extract of C. albidum stem bark contain bioactive constituents with analgesic and anti-inflammatory potentials, which goes to support its acclaimed traditional medical use of other parts of the plant in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions.