Anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of Phychotria sarmentosa

Abstract

The hot water extracts of leaves and stems of Psychotria sarmentosa at doses of 1015, 2039, 3885 and 5050 mg/kg were subjected to anti-inflammatory activity in a carrageenan induced paw edema model using Wistar male rats, in the presence of the positive control drug and a negative control. The inflammation was induced by injecting carrageenan to the sub plantar surface of the left hind paws of the experimental animals. The results obtained with the Dose 02 (2039 mg/kg) had the greatest significant (p < 0.05 to 0.001) difference than the other doses when compared with the controls. The reductions of paw edema were 71 - 98 % compared to control, indomethacin (p < 0.05 to 0.039 and 40 - 80 %) after 03rdH. Other doses at the different dose range used 1015,3885 and 5050 mg/kg, there were significant differences in their anti-inflammatory activity, 94.08 %, 85.92 % and 91.54 % respectively at 6th H. The results of this studyexhibited that scientific basis exists for the use of this plant in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions.