Department of Pharmacology and Therauptics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Umukoro, S., Department of Pharmacology and Therauptics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; Ashorobi, R.B., Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
The anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing effects of an aqueous leaf extract of Eupatorium odoratum was investigated in this study. The effect of the extract on acute inflammation was studied in carrageenin-treated rats. The anti-inflammatory activity of E. odoratum was further assessed in rats subjected to sub-chronic inflammatory conditions induced by formaldehyde. The membrane-stabilizing property of the extract was studied using its ability to reduce the levels of haemolysis of rat Red Blood Cells (RBC) exposed to hypotonic solution. The results of the study showed that the extract (100-400 mg kg-1, p.o) possess anti -inflammatory property, as it significantly reduced oedema formation induced by the phlogistic agents in rats. At a concentration range of 1.0-2.0 mg kg-1, the extract offered significant protection of RBC against the haemolytic effect of hypotonic solution, an indication of membrane-stabilizing activity. It appears that the membrane-stabilizing effect exhibited by Eupatorium odoratum might be playing a significant role in its anti-inflammatory activity. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.
acetylsalicylic acid; carrageenan; eupatorium odoratum extract; formaldehyde; hypotonic solution; plant extract; sodium chloride; unclassified drug; animal experiment; animal model; antiinflammatory activity; aqueous solution; article; Asteraceae; cell protection; chronic inflammation; concentration response; controlled study; drug dose regimen; drug synthesis; edema; erythrocyte; eupatorium odoratum; female; hemolysis; male; membrane stabilization; nonhuman; plant leaf; rat