Abstract

Victoria Nonyelum Umeh*, Udochukwu Kachi Olli and Jude Nnaemeka Okoyeh

ABSTRACT

Background: There is need for scientific data to support the folkloric use of J. carnea leaf extract in the management and treatment of pain and inflammation. Method: The shade-dried and grinded leaves of J. carnea were cold macerated in 80% ethanol. The acute toxicity and qualitative phytochemical screening were carried out using the leaf dried extract. Two sets of 20 albino rats of both sexes divided into 4 groups (n=5) were used for the anti-inflamatory and analgesic investigations respectively. The same mode of animal grouping and dosing was adopted for each study. Groups 1 and 2 served as negative and positive control respectively having received 10 ml/kgbw of distilled water and 10mg/kgbw of diclofenac sodium respectively while groups 3 and 4 received 250 and 500 mg/kgbw of the extract of respectively. The carrageenan induced paw edema and the hot plate methods were used for the anti-inflammatory and the analgesic evaluations respectively. The data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences using one way ANOVA. Results: The LD50 for the extract was found to be higher than 5000 mg/kgbw. At the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, the extract showed a time and dose-dependent significant (p