Abstract:
BACKGROUND : The study was aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory activity of fractions and extracts obtained from Strychnos
spinosa leaves on a mediator of inflammation nitric oxide (NO).
MATERIALS AND METHODS : Leaves were extracted with acetone and separated into fractions with different polarities by solventsolvent
fractionation. The Griess assay was used to determine the nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory activity. Cellular toxicity was
determined by "using the MTT reduction assay".
RESULTS : With the exception of the ethyl acetate fraction which had an IC50 >750 μg/mL, all extracts and fractions had significant
nitric oxide-inhibitory activity. The most active being the water fraction, chloroform fraction and the dichloromethane/methanol
extracts with IC50 values of 88.43 μg/mL, 96.72 μg/mL and 115.62 μg/mL, respectively. The extracts and fractions had low
cytotoxicity on macrophage U937 cell lines.
CONCLUSION : Extracts and fractions of Strychnos spinosa leaves may be promising sources of natural anti-inflammatory agents.
Findings obtained from this study showed that Strychnos spinosa leaves possess promising anti-inflammatory action and could be
used in the treatment of inflammation-related conditions.
