ABSTRACT
Combretum platypterum (Welw) Hutch & Dalziel family Combretaceae,is a woody climber. Traditionally, it is used to treat inflammation, coughs, backache, headache, malaria, fever, diarrhea and conjunctivitis. The aim of study was to evaluate the biological and phytochemical studies of leaf and root of C. platypterum.
Phytochemical constituents and proximate composition of C. platypterum were analyzed using well-established methods. Micro and macro contents were analyzed using a flame photometer, spectrophotometer and Atomic Absorption Spectrum. The Compound in plant were identified using gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy. Anti-arthritic activities were evaluated usingformaldehyde and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis in rats. Acute and sub-acute toxicological evaluations were carried out using mice and rats’ models, respectively.Antitussive properties were analyzed using citric acid-induced cough, ammonia induce cough and mucus expectoration (phenol red) experiment in mice.Anti-asthmatic propertieswere analyzed using ovalbumin induced asthma in guinea pig. Analgesic activities were assayed using hot plate, tail flick and acetic acid-induced pain model. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was assayed by red blood cell stabilizing and protein denaturation methods. Anti – malaria activities were evaluated by preventive, suppressive and curative animal models.
The phytochemical evaluations of leaf and root extracts of C. platypterum showed alkaloids, phlobatannins, glycosides, phenolics, carbohydrates, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and anthraquinones. Micro and macro analyses showed the presence of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, nitrogen and chromium in the plant extract. Gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy reviled the presence of 34 compounds in the aqueous leaf extract and 23 compounds in the aqueous root extract. The aqueous leaf and root extracts significantly reduced to P<0.05, the diameter of inflammation when compared to arthritic control in formaldehyde and complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritis. The extracts reduced (P<0.05) the level of erythrocyte sedimentary rate and weight of inflamed ankle joint on the arthritic animals compared to arthritic control. The LD50 of the leaf and root extracts were indeterminable since there was no death in experimental animals even at (8 g/kg) which was the highest dose. Body weight index was not affected compared to control (P>0.05). General haematological parameters were not affected. Biochemical analysis, of the leaf extract (0.1 g/kg and 2.5 g/kg) significantly (P<0.05) increased the levels of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein. The root extract (0.5 g/kg) significantly (P<0.05) increased the level of direct bilirubin compared to control. The leaf extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the percentage suppression of cough bout, reduced the number of cough bout and increase phenol dye cough compared to control (P<0.05). In the anti-asthmatic study, the leaf extract at all dose levels increased the latency to proconvulsive dyspnea (P<0.05) compared to ovalbumin sensitized control. The latency and threshold to pain was increased by aqueous root extract compared to control (P<0.05). It reduced the number of writhing induced by acetic acid compared to control (P<0.05). The leaf and root extracts at all dose levels inhibited heat-induced albumin denaturation and stabilized erythrocyte membrane compare to aspirin (P>0.05). C. platypterum leaf and root extracts have no effect on Plasmodium beihei (P>0.05). The leaf and root aqueous extracts at 400 mg/kg and chloroquine (5 mg/kg) reduced percentage parasitaemia and increased percentage chemosuppresive (P<0.05). The aqueous leaf at all dose levels and aqueous root extracts at 400 mg/kg and chloroquine at 5 mg/kg reduced percentage parasitaemia and increased percentage chemocurative compared to untreated control (P<0.05). In conclusion, qualitative and quantitative analyses of leaf and root of C. platypterum showed saponins, Steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phenolics compounds, Phlobatannins, anthraquinones, alkaloids and glycosides. The ash, fibre, fat, carbohydrate, protein, moisture and mineral content indicate the nutrition’s value of C. platypterum. The leaf and root possess anti-arthritis, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antiasthmatic antimalaria and analgesic activities.
