Pharmacological Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Aqueous Extract of The Root Bark of Capparis Erythrocapos

ABSTRACT

Background: Capparis erythrocarpos is a medicinal plant that is used extensively in folklore medicine in Ghana to manage various inflammatory conditions. Previous pharmacological study showed that an ethanolic extract of the roots of Capparis erythrocarpos may have antiinflammatory activity. However, no attempt has been made to investigate the basis of the effect(s), if any, of the aqueous extract on the inflammatory processes or ascertain its safety. Aim: The aim of this study was to verify claims in folklore medicine that the aqueous extract of the root bark of Capparis erythrocarpos has anti-inflammatory activity, as well as to ascertain its safety in animal models. Methodology: The extract was prepared by extraction of the pulverized root of C. erythrocarpos with water in a Soxhlet extractor. Reaction time, volume of paw oedema, weight of section of mouse pinna, and white blood cells (WBC) count in inflammatory exudates, were used as measurable indicators of the inflammatory processes, namely, perception of pain, increased capillary permeability, vasodilation and recruitment of white blood cells. In each of the respective inflammation studies, 25 rats (150 - 230 g) or mice (24 - 30 g) of both sexes were randomly selected and assigned to 5 treatment groups of 5 rats each (cohort). One group received normal saline (control) whiles two other treatment groups received specified dose levels of the extract (20 – 80 mg/kg). In all cases, an internal standard (morphine, indomethacin or celecoxib) was employed. The animals were subjected to the appropriate stimulus, the individual responses were measured and the mean responses of the cohorts determined.