title: Mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf extracts of Culcasia scandens P. Beauv (Araceae).
abstract: The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of the leaf extracts of Culcasia scandens P. Beauv were evaluated. The methanol leaf extract (CE) of C. scandens was subjected to bioactivity-guided separation to obtain fraction C as the most active anti-inflammatory fraction. Further activity-guided fractionation of fraction C led to the isolation of an anti-inflammatory principle, CS-1, identified as sitosterol. Phytochemical analysis of CE indicated the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and terpenoids. Fraction C tested positive for flavonoids, sterols and terpenoids while CS-1 tested positive for sterols. Acute toxicity test on CE in mice established an intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral (p.o.) LD50 of >5 g/kg. The isolated compound, CS-1, inhibited topical edema in the mouse ear while CE and fraction C were devoid of any such activity. The methanol extract (CE), fraction C and CS-1 suppressed paw edema in rats with inhibitory order of magnitude: CS-1>fraction C>CE. The methanol extract (CE), fraction C and CS-1 caused gastrointestinal irritation in rats to varying extents and reduced neutrophil and lymphocyte counts while CE and fraction C reduced total leukocyte count (TLC). The methanol extract (CE) was effective in inhibiting heat-induced hemolysis of human red blood cells (RBCs) but exhibited no inhibitory effect on hypotonicity-induced hemolysis. However, fraction C and CS-1 inhibited both heat- and hypotonicity-induced hemolysis. These results suggest that the leaf extract of C. scandens has a good anti-inflammatory profile, indicating a nonspecific mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Charles O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Okoli
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Akah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029064:Araceae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts