title: Topical anti-inflammatory constituents of lipophilic leaf fractions of Alchornea floribunda and Alchornea cordifolia.
abstract: The leaves of Alchornea floribunda and Alchornea cordifolia are used traditionally as topical anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, two highly lipophilic fractions AFLF and ACLF isolated from A. floribunda and A. cordifolia leaves respectively were investigated for topical anti-inflammatory effects using xylene-induced mice ear oedema as a model of inflammation. AFLF and ACLF at 5 mg per ear showed significant (p < 0.01) topical anti-inflammatory effect with oedema inhibitions of 64.0% and 79.0% at 2 h, respectively. When compared to indomethacin (5 mg per ear), these fractions showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher topical anti-inflammatory effect. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that AFLF is composed mainly of long chain saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (18.78%) and their oxygenated derivatives (1.89%); while ACLF is rich in volatile oils eugenol (21.26%) and cadinol (4.76%), and other constituents like, nanocosaine (36.86%) and steroid derivatives, ethyl iso-allocholate (4.59%) and 3-acetoxy-7,8-epoxylanostan-1-ol (15.86%). Analysis of the volatile oil (ACV) extracted from the fresh leaves of A. cordifolia revealed the presence of high concentrations of eugenol (41.7%), cadinol (2.46%), Caryophylene (1.04%), Linalool (30.59%) and (E)-α-bergamotene (4.54%). These compounds could be contributing to the topical anti-inflammatory effects of A. floribunda and A. cordifolia leaf extracts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.basdenc@yahoo.com
authors.forename: F B C
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Okoye
authors.forename: P O
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Osadebe
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Nworu
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Okoye
authors.forename: E O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Omeje
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Esimone
mesh_terms: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D005054:Eugenol / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D019665:Euphorbiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D039821:Monoterpenes; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000081223:Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C423904:alpha-bergamotene; D005054:Eugenol; C024714:caryophyllene; C018584:linalool