Inflammation causes discomfort, suffering and lower productivity of the victims. Synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs are not readily available and have adverse side effects. Alternative herbal medicines possess bioactive compounds that are safer and efficient in the management of various diseases and disorders. The present study evaluated for the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extracts of Kigelia africana and Acacia hockii in mice to scientifically validate their traditional use among the Embu and Mbeere communities in Kenya. The plant samples were collected with the help of local herbalists in Embu County, Kenya and transported to Kenyatta University biochemistry and biotechnology laboratories for cleaning, air drying, milling, and extraction. Swiss albino mice of either sex were randomly divided into six groups of 5 animals each; normal control, negative control, positive control and three experimental groups. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema method. The anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was compared to reference drug diclofenac. The leaf extract of K. africana reduced inflamed hind paw diameter of mice by between 0.21%-4.98% while the stem bark extract of A. hockii reduced inflamed hind paw diameter by between 0.6%-5.38%. The diclofenac reduced inflamed hind paw diameter by between 1.11%-4.9%. The qualitative phytochemical screening indicated the presence of saponins, flavonoid, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and cardiac glycosides. The present study demonstrated potent antiinflammatory activities of methanolic extracts of K. africana and A. hockii in a dose-dependent manner, which supports their traditional use. The present study, therefore, recommends the ethnomedicinal use of K. africana and A. hockii in the management of inflammation.

Acacia nilotica has been used to manage several diseases including pain, inflammation and fever. However, its efficacy has not been scientifically validated. The aim of this study therefore is to investigate the antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of its aqueous extracts. The plant extract was collected from Loita division, Narok county in Kenya. A total of 96 albino mice with an average weight of 20 g was used for this study. Antinociceptive activity was determined by use of formalin−induced writhing test. A writhe was recorded by a stopwatch following the stretching of the abdomen and/or stretching of at least one hind limb. Anti-inflammatory activity was established by a formalin induced inflammation test. Hourly changes in paw sizes and reduction of edema around the paw was determined using a venier calipers. Antipyretic activity was carried out using Brewer's yeast induced pyrexia. Temperature of each mouse was determined rectally by thermal probe thermometer. The aqueous leaf extracts of A. nilotica reduced pain, inflammation and fever mostly at dose 150 mg/kg body weight. Based on these findings it was concluded that the present study has demonstrated the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potential of aqueous leaf extracts of A. nilotica in albino mice and will serve as good bio-resource for generating readily available herbal formulations that are more effective in the treatment of pain, inflammation and fever conditions which are cheaper than the conventional synthetic drugs and have no side effects.

Interest in herbal drugs is undergoing a renaissance at present time. Herbal agents are regarded to be more effective and comparatively safe as opposed to conventional medications which are relatively inaccessible and arguably associated with various adverse effects. Harrisonia abyssinica and Landolphia buchananii have been used by the Ameru and Embu communities to alleviate various ailments. However, despite their wide folklore use, extensive literature research reveals limited scientific evaluation of their described effects. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the antipyretic effects of their methanolic extracts. The plant samples were sourced from Mbeere, Embu County, Kenya. The test subjects (experimental rats) were grouped into four; normal group, a negative control group, reference group and experimental groups. The experimental groups were treated with stem bark extracts at concentration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg. The determination of antipyretic activities was evaluated by using a 20% turpentine solution as the pyrexia inducing agent and then compared with aspirin as the reference drug. H. abyssinica extract reduced the rectal temperature by between 0.90% and 1.73% while L. buchananii extract reduced it by between 0.32% and 2.52%. Aspirin reduced the elevated rectal temperature by 1.70% and 2.32%. Qualitative phytochemical screening results showed that the extracts possessed several phytochemicals. The results of the study have confirmed the folklore use of the aforementioned plants in the suppression of pyrexia.

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