US EPA

2453298 

Journal Article 

Anti-inflammatory activity of Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum. Ex Engl. ethanolic leaf extract 

Sowemimo, A; Samuel, F; Fageyinbo, MS 

2013 

Yes 

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
ISSN: 0378-8741 

149 

1 

191-194 

English 

23792584 

10.1016/j.jep.2013.06.020 

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The leaves of Markhamia tomentosa (Benth.) K. Schum (Bignoniaceae) are used traditionally for the treatment of oedema and rheumatoid arthritis in Nigeria.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the work was to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic leaf extract of Markhamia tomentosa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The extract was screened using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats, xylene-induced oedema in mice and the formalin-induced oedema in mice at 50, 100, 200mg/kg doses p.o respectively. The mechanism by which the extract mediated the anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the histamine-induced rat paw oedema and serotonin-induced rat paw oedema at the highest dose (200mg/kg).

RESULTS: The results showed that the extract produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition in carrageenan-induced, xylene-induced and the formalin tests. The extract exerted a significant inhibition of 54.55% (P<0.0001) and 42.11% (P<0.01) at 90 min in the histamine-induced and serotonin-induced rat paw oedema models respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the ethanolic leaf extract of Markhamia tomentosa possesses anti-inflammatory activity possibly mediated by histamine. The results justify the use of the plant in the preparation of ethno medicines used in the treatment of ailments associated with inflammation.