Further Evaluation of the Anti–inflammatory Activity of Aframomum Melegueta Seed Extract and its Possible Mechanism of Action

Abstract

The anti–inflammatory effect of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) was further evaluated in the study. Sub–chronic inflammatory conditions were induced by 2% formaldehyde and 6% nystatin respectively. Whilst the Selye granuloma pouch technique utilizing carrageenin–induced exudate formation was used as model of chronic inflammation. The membrane stabilizing activity of AM was assessed using rat erythrocyte exposed to hypotonic solution. The results revealed that AM (50–200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced edema induced by formaldehyde and by nystatin. It also produced significant inhibition of inflammatory exudate induced by carrageenin at doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg. The extract offered significant (P<0.05) protection of rat erythrocytes against damaging effect of hypotonic solution. These findings suggest that membrane–stabilizing activity of A. melegueta may contribute to its anti–inflammatory action.

KEY WORDS: Aframomum melegueta, seed, membrane stabilization, inhibition, sub–chronic, inflam-matory responses.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 35-39