title: Anti-inflammatory activity of Buchholzia coriacea Engl. (Capparaceae) leaf extract: evaluation of components of the inflammatory response involved.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Earlier studies in our laboratory demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of Buchholzia coriacea Engl. (Capparaceae) leaf extract, a herbal remedy used to treat disorders of inflammation. This study was undertaken to evaluate its anti-inflammatory mechanism(s).
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of methanol leaf extract of B. coriacea (200 and 400 mg/kg) on vascular permeability and leukocyte migration were studied in rodents, while activity on complement system and membrane stabilization were evaluated in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) inhibited acetic acid-induced increase in vascular permeability in a non-dose-related manner and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the total and differential leukocyte counts, respectively, in a dose-related manner. It also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited complement-induced hemolysis of sheep red blood cells (40-72%) and moderately inhibited heat- (6%) and hypotonic solution-(24%) induced hemolysis in vitro in a non-dose-related manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory activity of B. coriacea leaf extract is mediated through inhibition of increase in vascular permeability, leukocyte migration and complement system, and enhanced membrane stabilization.
authors.forename: Adaobi C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ezike
authors.forename: Collins A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Onyeto
authors.forename: Ifeoma A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Nwabunike
authors.forename: Florence N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Mbaoji
authors.forename: Blessing E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Attah
authors.forename: Stella O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Amanambu
authors.forename: Charles O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Okoli
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D031483:Capparaceae; D002462:Cell Membrane; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes; D006461:Hemolysis; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D019342:Acetic Acid