Anti-inflammatory effect of Guiera senegalensis roots in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Acute and chronic anti-inflammatory effects of Gueira senegalensis roots methanolic extract (GSRM) was evaluated against carrageenan induced paw oedema in Wistar albino rats. Methanolic extract of G. senegalensis roots was prepared and the phytochemical analysis was performed. Phytochemical screening of GSRM, revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, sterols and triterpens. In acute study, the extract of G. senegalensis roots was investigated at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg. Diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg) was used as standard anti-inflammatory drug. The paw size of rats was measured at 0 hours (before carrageenan injection), 1, 2, 3 and 4 hour after carrageenan injection. In the chronic model; GSRM was dosed after insertion of cotton pellets till the 7th day, then the pellets were removed surgically, dried and weighed. Histopathological examination of subcutaneous tissues was also performed. In acute inflammatory model, the paw oedema induced by carrageenan was significantly inhibited by oral administration of GSRM compared with untreated and diclofenac groups. The inhibition of oedema by the 400 mg/kg GSRM dose (66.61%) was better than that caused by 200 mg/kg dose (39.7%) and the100 mg/kg dose (35.47%), but less than the inhibition caused by diclofenac sodium (75.56%). In the cotton pellet granuloma method, the formation of granulomatous tissues was significantly decreased in rats that received GSRM. Maximum inhibition was produced by diclofenac sodium (41.71%) compared with dose of 400 mg/kg (17.42%) and 200 mg/kg (21.27%) of GSRM. Sections of subcutaneous tissue showed infiltration of inflammatory cells which indicated the reaction of extract in the body compared with untreated control group. This study concluded that the extract of G. senegalensis roots is effective in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation. Further studies are recommended to isolate, identify and characterize the active ingredient(s) responsible of the anti-inflammatory effects of methanolic extract of G. senegalensis roots.