title: Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory properties of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. (family: Anacardiaceae) stem-bark extracts in rats.
abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Sclerocarya birrea (family: Anacardiaceae) stem-bark aqueous and methanolic extracts in rats. Young adult, male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) weighing 250-300g were used. The anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous and methanolic stem-bark extracts of the plant (SB, 500mg/kg p.o.) were examined on rat paw oedema induced by subplantar injections of fresh egg albumin (0.5ml/kg). Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, 100mg/kg p.o.) was used as the reference anti-inflammatory agent for comparison. Both the aqueous and methanolic stem-bark extracts of S. birrea (SB, 500mg/kg p.o.) progressively and time-dependently reduced rat paw oedema induced by subplantar injections of fresh egg albumin. However, the methanolic extract of the plant produced relatively greater and more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect than its aqueous extract counterpart in the experimental animal model used. The two extracts of S. birrea stem-bark were found to be markedly less potent than ASA as anti-inflammatory agent. Although both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of S. birrea stem-bark are less potent than ASA as anti-inflammatory agent, the results of this experimental animal study indicate that the extracts possess anti-inflammatory activity, and thus lend credence to the suggested folkloric use of the plant in the management and/or control of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions in certain communities of South Africa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Durban-Westville, Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa. ojewole@pixie.udw.ac.za
authors.forename: John A O
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ojewole
mesh_terms: D027926:Anacardiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010047:Ovalbumin