ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENCY OF N- HEXANE FRACTION FROM EKEBERGIA SENEGALENSIS METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT IN RATS

ABSTRACT

Ekebergia senegalensis A.Juss belongs to the Meliaceae family. The plant, which may reach a height of thirty feet, is typically found in the Savannah woods. It is found in both the northern and southern regions of Nigeria, as well as in Senegal and Angola. It is known as the Senegal Mahogany or African Mahogany. The root, bark and leaf maceration, decoctions and infusions, have been used to treat a variety of illnesses, including epilepsy, dysentery, ulcers, boils, scabies, acne, pimples, fever e.t.c. Ekebergia senegalensis A. Juss was obtained from Forestry research institute, Ibadan. The leaf was extracted with 7.5litres 99.8% methanol. 200g of the crude extract was then fractionated using 1.5 litres of n-Hexane and gave a yield of 27.523g. To assess its antiinflammatory potency, the n-Hexane fraction was subjected to Carrageenan-induced paw oedema and Dextran-induced page oedema. The n-Hexane fraction caused a significant (p<0.05) inhibitions of carrageenan and dextraninduced paw oedema. The anti-inflammatory effect of the n-Hexane fraction of the crude extract was suggested to be through the inhibition of Histamine and Serotonin as seen in the two models. The inhibition of Histamine and Serotonin in the dextran model was dose dependent as the 200mg/kg gave a greater reduction in paw oedema.