The rapid development of malignant cancers is characterized by inflammation, which poses a significant
drawback in cancer therapy. Both cancer and inflammation operate on very similar mechanisms involving
angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Currently, cancer-intrinsic inflammations have been shown to promote
cancer progression and hinder apoptosis of cancerous cells. Thus, an effective strategy for chemoprevention
and therapy would involve the control of inflammation. This research work aims to investigate the antiinflammatory activity of the extracts of the root bark of Rutidea parviflora (Rubiaceae), a plant I previously
reported for anti-ovarian cancer activities and the isolation of palmatine; an anti-cancer compound and a
second compound; urs-12-ene-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester. This plant is renowned for its antiinflammatory properties amongst locals in Delta state, Nigeria, which has necessitated this present research.
Organic and aqueous extracts were obtained from the pulverized root bark by use of the America national
cancer institute protocol (NCI). The organic extract was partitioned sequentially in increasing order of
polarity with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and distilled water to obtain four fractions. Phytochemical
screening was done using standard procedures. Results from the phytochemical screening indicated the
presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides and carbohydrates. Anti-inflammatory
investigations of the extracts and fractions were carried out by the induction of inflammation. The animals
were grouped into 12 test groups and 2 control groups with 6 rats per group. Egg albumin (0.1 ml) was
administered sub-plantarly followed by treatment. Group A received a dose of 200 mg/kg of the plant
extracts and Group B received a dose of 400 mg/kg of the plant extracts. Group C (positive control) received
indomethacin (10 mg/kg), while Group D (negative control) received 1 ml of normal saline. Statistical
analysis showed significance against the negative control indicated by P<0.05 for extracts and fractions.
While for the fourth hour post induction of inflammation; the activities of the Group B organic extract, ethyl
acetate and n-butanol fractions were comparable with indomethacin indicating that the plant possess
significant anti-inflammatory activity and warrants further anti-inflammatory studies.
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