ANTI INFLAMMATORY, ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF FLAME THORN (Acacia ataxacantha D.C.) IN RATS

Abstract

Laboratory experiment was carried to evaluate the toxicity profile, anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities of methanol leaf extract of Acacia ataxacantha in rats. The doses (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract) selected for the study were based on the calculated LD₅₀. Anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using the carragenaan and albumin induced paw edema, while the antipyretic activity was evaluated using yeast induced pyrexia method. The induced inflammation produced a dose dependent significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction of inflammation at 200 and 400 mg/kg while a significant (p ≤ 0.05) reduction in oedema was observed at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg (4^th h). Similarly, there were significant inhibitions (p ≤ 0.05) of inflammation at the 20^th, 40^th, 60^th and 120^th minutes post extract administration in albumin induced hind-paw inflammation. The data obtained from the antipyretic study showed no significant differences between the treatment means. These findings suggest that the extract may contain bioactive compounds that possess anti-inflammatory activities, thus supporting the ethno-medical use of the plant in the management of painful inflammation in human and animals.