ABSTRACT
A tremendous increase in the use of herbal medicinal products and supplements has been noticed within the past three decades with over 80% of the planet population counting on the traditional system of medicine as a vital part of primary healthcare in both urban and rural areas. The paradigm shift towards medicinal plant is prompted by the search for natural products from plant origin which has protective yet minimal side effects. One of such medicinal plants with phytopharmacological activities is Alstonia boonei. The aim of this study was to ascertain the levels of Zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se) in formalin - induced inflammation in male wistar rats treated with aqueous extract leaf extracts of A. boonei. A total of twenty five (25) male wistar rats were used in this study and placed in five (5) groups, namely; groups I, II, III, IV, and V representing positive control, 150mg/kg test group, 300mg/kg test group, negative control, and drug control, respectively. Each group consisted of five (5) each, which were weighed and labeled, before experimentation. Inflammation was induced by subaponeurotic injection of 0.1mL of 2% formalin prepared by adding 1mL of distilled water to 4mL of 10% formalin (1:5) in the right hind paw of the rats in groups II, III, and V on the first and third day. Inflammation was measured daily using a vernier caliper. Meanwhile, the plant extract was administered to group II, III, and IV daily, using an oral gastric tube and a syringe. After the experimental period of 10 days, the animals were sacrificed, organ homogenate (kidney) samples were obtained and biochemical analysis were carried out. Groups I, IV, and V served as the positive control receiving distilled water, negative control receiving only 300mg/kg without inflammation, and drug control using indomethacin, respectively. The concentration of Zn, Cu, and Se were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS software version 26.0 and difference between groups was determined using T-test. The results showed a statistical significant difference in selenium concentration between the group III and group V (p=0.011), and no statistical significant difference between the group III and V and of zinc (p=0.332) and copper (p=0.073). Similarly, the concentrations of zinc and copper were not statistically significantly difference in group II and V (p=0.753; p=0.118) and selenium concentration was statistically significantly higher in the group II and V with (p=0.007). A statistical significant increase (p<0.05) in zinc, copper, and selenium levels between the group II and IV was observed. Furthermore, a statistical significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in the groups III and IV. In conclusion, it was demonstrated in this study that A. boonei leaf extract has a more reducing effect on Zinc, Copper, and Selenium in the kidney compared to standard anti-inflammatory drug (indomethacin). It has also been demonstrated that while inflammation increased the levels of these metals, A. boonei leaf extract reduced them.
