Anti-inflammatory activity of Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. Ex Engl. ethanolic leaf extract

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The leaves of Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum (Bignoniaceae) are used traditionally for the treatment of oedema and rheumatoid arthritis in Nigeria.

Aim of the study: The aim of the work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Markhamia tomentosa.

Materials and methods: The extract was screened using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats, xylene-induced oedema in mice and the formalin-induced oedema in mice at 50, 100, 200mg/kg doses p.o respectively. The mechanism by which the extract mediated the anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the histamine-induced rat paw oedema and serotonin-induced rat paw oedema at the highest dose (200mg/kg).

Results: The results showed that the extract produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition in carrageenan-induced, xylene-induced and the formalin tests. The extract exerted a significant inhibition of 54.55% (P<0.0001) and 42.11% (P<0.01) at 90 min in the histamine-induced and serotonin-induced rat paw oedema models respectively.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the ethanolic leaf extract of Markhamia tomentosa possesses anti-inflammatory activity possibly mediated by histamine. The results justify the use of the plant in the preparation of ethno medicines used in the treatment of ailments associated with inflammation.

Keywords: Carrageenan-induced paw oedema; Histamine-induced paw oedema; Markhamia tomentosa; Serotonin-induced paw oedema; Xylene-induced paw oedema.