title: Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Activities of Stem-Bark Extracts and Fractions ofCarpolobia Lutea(Polygalaceae).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Niger Delta, ethnomedicine hydroalcoholic extract ofCarpolobia lutea(CL) (Polygalaceae) is used to relieve inflammatory pains.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of ethanolic stem extract (ESE) and to fractionate the ESE for the elucidation of bioactive molecules.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antinociceptive effects for ESE were tested against two noxious stimuli; chemical (acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced pain) and thermal (hot plate) stimuli. The effects of paracetamol (130 mg/kg), indomethacin (10 mg/kg), and morphine (5 mg/kg) pretreatment were investigated. To isolate the bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory effect, two doses (86.6 and 173.2 mg/kg) of four fractions (methanol fraction MTF, ethyl acetate fraction EAF, chloroform fraction CHF, and n-hexane fraction n-HF) obtained from fractionating ESE were utilized. Carrageenan, egg albumin, and capsaicin-induced edema of the hind paw of the rats were the models adopted. Paw volume was measured by a digital vernier caliper from 0 to 6 h after injection. This was compared to standard drugs. The results were subjected to statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ESE decreased significantly (P< 0.001) the writhing of acetic acid-induced abdominal contractions and licking of formalin-induced pains but does not have any effects on the hot plate test. Of the four fractions obtained, the EAFs demonstrated a significant (P< 0.001) inflammatory inhibition of 98.97% and 41.91% at 86.6 and 173.2 mg/kg, respectively, compared to 65.75% inhibition demonstrated by the reference drug, acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) on the carrageenan model while 36.36% and 29.87% inhibition of inflammation at 86.6 and 173.2 mg/kg, respectively, on the egg albumin models; there was no significant effect on the capsaicin model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The isolation of quercetin and kaemferol from CL gave credence to its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Lucky Legbosi
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Nwidu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Blessing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Airhihen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Augustine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmadu
keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Carpolobia lutea; antinociceptive; kaemferol; quercetin; stem fractions