IN VIVO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF COMBRETUM BUCHIENSE LEAF METHANOL EXTRACT IN RATS (PAW OEDEMA MODELS)

Abstract

In Nigeria, inflammatory disorders, such as hypertension (30.6-36.1% prevalence in adults) and arthritis (13.4% in older adults), contribute significantly to noncommunicable disease (NCD) morbidity (Adeloye et al., 2019;Ogunmola et al., 2021).Combretum buchiense (Combretaceae), traditionally used to treat inflammation, contains phytochemicals similar to other Combretum species, but its pharmacological activities are underexplored.This study investigates the phytochemical constituents and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of C. buchiense leaf methanol extract, targeting mediators like prostaglandins, cytokines, and nitric oxide.The methanol extract was prepared by cold maceration and subjected to phytochemical screening.Acute oral toxicity was assessed using OECD guidelines in rats (n = 13).Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using egg albumin (n = 12) and carrageenan-induced paw oedema models (n = 12) in rats, with hepatotoxicity assessed in a paracetamol-induced model (n = 16).Phytochemical screening revealed flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, and cardiac glycosides, consistent with profiles of other Combretum species.In the acute oral toxicity study, no mortality or behavioral changes were observed in rats at doses of 1600, 2900, and 5000 mg/kg, indicating safety for consumption.In the egg albumin model, the extract exhibited 41.75% and 42.92% inhibition at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively, compared to 47.28% for indomethacin (10 mg/kg).In the carrageenan model, inhibition was 39.93% and 42.00% at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively, compared to 43.30% for indomethacin.No significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between the extract and indomethacin, suggesting inhibition of prostaglandins, cytokines (IL-1, TNF-), and nitric oxide.The methanol extract of C. buchiense demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory activity, likely due to phytochemicals shared with other Combretum species, targeting key inflammatory mediators, and is safe at high doses.These findings support its traditional use in Nigeria for managing prevalent inflammatory disorders like hypertension and arthritis.Further studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms, isolate bioactive compounds, and quantify IMID prevalence.