An investigation on the phytochemical components. The analgesic and antiinflamatory activities of a traditonally used plant extract

Abstract

Inflammatory diseases including different types of rheumatic diseases like rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis are a major world wide clinical concern. Such conditions are mainly managed using drugs like NSAIDS eg.Indomethacin and corticosteroids e.g. Dexamethasone which have notable side effects like gastrointestinal irritation and ulceration hence a major problem. There is therefore need for increased research and use of safer drugs for treatment of arthritis and herbal remedies have proved useful. This study was aimed at assessing the anti-inflammatory activity of an herbal remedy used traditionally in management of arthritis and determine its analgesic activity and oral acute toxicity. Inflammation was induced using the formalin hind paw induced edema method with Indomethacin, Dexamethasone and DMSO as controls. Analgesic activity was studied using the hot plate method with morphine and normal saline as controls. The results obtained identified anti-inflammatory activity but no analgesic activity. The herbal plant extract produced 40010 inhibition of inflammation compared to 52% and 60% produced by Dexamethasone and Indomethacin respectively. The plant extract thus has significant anti-inflammatory activity and thus is a good candidate for further studies in order to put it into more significant clinical use.