Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Nociceptive Properties of Hydro-Methanol Extract of Eremomastax Speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod Leaf

Abstract

Background: Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod is a perennial herb found in Africa along the rainforest zone and occurs as weed. It is cultivated in Cameroon and Akwa-Ibom in Nigeria due to its medicinal values. This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of hydromethanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa (Hochst.) Cufod leaf in rat model. Materials and Methods: The plant material was extracted using cold maceration method in 80% hydromethanol. The acute oral toxicity test was performed using Up and Down method with limit dose of 2000 mg/kg. The in vitro antioxidant property was evaluated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power photometric assays. The anti-inflammatory potential was investigated in egg-albumin and carrageenan induced paw edema models while the antinociceptive activity was determined using acetic acid induced writhing reflex and tail immersion tests at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. The negative control group (group A) received distilled water (vehicle) at 5 ml/kg while acetyl salicylic acid (200 mg/kg) was used as the reference drug for the anti-inflammatory models and acetic acid induced writhing reflex model while pentazocine (5 mg/kg) was used as the reference drug for tail immersion test. Results: The LD 50 of the extract was greater than 2000 mg/kg. The extract (25 to 400 µg/ml) demonstrated potent antioxidant activities in both the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The E. speciosa extract caused significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in the extract treated groups when compared to rats that received distilled water. The optimal activities of the extract were produced at the dose of 100 mg/kg. Conclusion: The study supports the folkloric use of Eremomastax speciosa leaf in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions in traditional medicine.

Gastroprotective effects of methanol extract of Eremomastax speciosa leaf harvested in Southern part of Nigeria in rat

“…The anti-ulcer activities of ESE could be akin to enhanced prostaglandin synthesis and its antioxidant activity (11,18). We previously associated, as a probable mechanism of anti-nociception effects of E. speciosa, to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase required to catalyze the synthesis of prostaglandins (18). Other researchers have previously reported on the anti-ulcer and anti-nociceptive activities of Melastoma malabathricum, Maytenus ilicifolia and Piper aleyreanum) (31)(32)(33).…”

“…Antioxidants prevent oxidative damage of cell membranes and enhance ulcer wound healing (30). The anti-ulcer activities of ESE could be akin to enhanced prostaglandin synthesis and its antioxidant activity (11,18). We previously associated, as a probable mechanism of anti-nociception effects of E. speciosa, to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase required to catalyze the synthesis of prostaglandins (18).…”

“…Group A: received distilled water 5.0 ml/kg (control) Group B: received cimetidine 100 mg/kg (reference standard) Group C: received ESE 25 mg/kg Group D: received ESE 50 mg/kg Group E: received ESE 100 mg/kg The doses used in this study were based on previous studies (18). All doses of ESE, cimetidine and distilled water were administered orally with the aid of a gastric gavage.…”

“…It is also used by the natives in the treatment of stomach pains (oral communiation). The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-nociceptive, anti-anemic, and anti-secretory activities of different parts of E. speciosa have been reported (11,12,17,18). However, there is dearth of information on the gastroprotective abilities of leaf extract of E. speciosa harvested in Nigeria.…”

The Aqueous Extract of A Mixture of Eremomastax speciosa and Cyathula prostrata (ESCP) Leaves Regularises an Overcrowding-Blocked Estrous Cycle, Enhances Implantation and Improves on Liter Size in Female Rats

“…Eremomastax speciosa and Cyathula prostrata are medicinal plants used in Tropical Africa, Asia and Australia to treat different ailments. Data exists on the actions of these plants in different experimental designs [9][10][11][12][13]. The people of the Bayang Tribe of Manyu Division of the South-West Region of Cameroon use the leave-aqueous macerations of both plants, either combined or separately, to regularize blocked or altered menstrual cycles in non-menopause women, enhance implantation, prevent miscarriages or save risky pregnancies and induce multiple conceptions (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc).…”