ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF Alstonia boonei

Abstract

The leaves of Alstonia boonei are generally used in some parts of Africa in the treatment of inflammatory disorders and other minor illnesses. The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Alstonia boonei was evaluated using three acute models of inflammation, namely; carrageenan-induced and dextran-induced rat paw oedema and croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. The extract (100-400mg/kg body weight) produced significant (p<0.05) inhibitions of the carrageenan and dextran-induced rat paw oedema. The extract also caused a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of the croton oil induced ear oedema in mice. The effects of the extract on these models of inflammation were similar to that of the standard anti-inflammatory drug-indomethacin. It is revealed from the screening model used that the methanol extract of the leaves of this plant possesses acute anti-inflammatory activity. The results obtained suggest that the extract may elicit its anti-inflammatory properties via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.