Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous leaf extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema and leucocyte migration in rats, and croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. The extract (50-100mg/kg) and indomethacin (10mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.05) inhibitions of the carrageena ninduced paw oedema. The extract also caused a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of the ear oedema induced with croton oil in mice, an effect similar to that of indomethacin. A significant reduction in the number of recruited leucocytes in the peritoneal exudate of rats was observed with the extract (50mg/kg), without any modification on the volume of exudate. The data obtained suggest that the extract possesses anti-inflammatory effects, which may be mediated via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.

Key words: Anti-inflammatory, ear oedema, carrageenan, leucocyte migration.