Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of leaf extracts of Landolphia Owariensis

The aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of Landolphia owariensis leaves (AELO, MELO & CELO respectively) was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. All the extracts (100mg/kg each) were found to significantly (P<0.05) inhibit paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats and the nociception induced by Tail immersion in hot water (50.0 ± 1.00C) and acetic acid. The methanol extract produced the highest paw edema inhibition while in thermally induced nociception both the MELO and CELO show high and comparable analgesic activity with acetylsalicylic acid (150mg/kg). However in chemically induced pain (acetic acid) MELO produced the highest and comparable analgesic activity to acetylsalicylic acid (150mg/kg). We therefore conclude, that apart from the folklore uses of L. Owariensis leaves as antimalarial agents, the various extracts of the plant also possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Phytochemical analysis showed that the methanollic extract of L. owerensis contain some secondary metabolites namely: alkaloids and some polyphenolic compounds. Also, this extract exhibits some antioxidative activities