title: Evaluation of the anti-arthritic activity of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different decoctions of Alchornea cordifolia leaves are used by Yoruba herbalists (Southwest Nigeria) for the local treatment of ulcers, rheumatic pains, febrile convulsions, and for enhancing physical performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the anti-arthritic effect of 100 - 400 mg/kg/day of the hydroethanolic leaf extract of Alchornea cordifolia (HEAC) was investigated in Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic rats as a way of evaluating its efficacy in the local management of arthritis. In addition, the effects of HEAC on liver and renal function parameters as well as its effect on the antioxidant enzyme system were investigated. Arthritis was induced using 0.1 ml of 10 mg/ml of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) following 1 h oral pretreatment and 8(th) day post-arthritic induction with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of HEAC and 3 mg/kg/day of celecoxib as the reference drug. The anti-arthritic activity of HEAC was assessed based on the ability of HEAC to alter the paw edema diameter, body weight, full blood count, renal and liver function markers, glycoprotein, lysosomal enzymes and possible antioxidant potential in the arthritic rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral pretreatment with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day of HEAC produced significant (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01) reductions in the paw edema diameter in a non-dose dependent fashion in ACF-induced arthritic rats with the 100 mg/kg/day of HEAC producing the most significant anti-arthritic effect. Similarly, HEAC increased hepatic GSH levels, CAT and SOD activities suggesting possible antioxidant mechanism for its anti-arthritic effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, results of this study lend credence to the folkloric use of water decoction of Alchornea cordifolia leaves against rheumatoid arthritis. However, further pharmacological investigations would be required at isolating and determining the active anti-arthritic molecule(s) in HEAC in the nearest future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Lagos State University College of Medicine, 1-5 Oba Akinjobi Way, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adejuwon Adewale
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeneye
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adekunle Ibrahim
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Oreagba
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ismail Ogunbayode
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Ishola
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Hassanat Adeola
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kalejaiye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D019665:Euphorbiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Alchornea cordifolia; Arthritis; Complete Freund's Adjuvant; Hydroethanolic leaf extract; Rats