ANTI-ARTHRITIC POTENTIAL OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOL LEAF AND ROOT EXTRACTS OF ALAFIA BARTERI OLIV. (APOCYNACEAE) IN WISTAR RATS

Kolawole, Ikeoluwa O., *Ebuehi, Osaretin A.T. and Odesanmi, Omolola S.

ABSTRACT

Alafia barteri is valued for its effectiveness in the traditional medicine system in Nigeria and other African countries, though its anti-arthritic activity is yet to be evaluated. This study is to evaluate the anti-arthritic potential of the aqueous and ethanol leaf and root extracts of Alafia barteri plant in Wistar rats using the CFA-induced arthritis model. 75 healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing between 200g and 250g were completely randomized into fifteen groups (A-O) of five rats each. The test groups were treated by administering the extracts at 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. Arthritis induction was done by intra-dermal injection of 0.1ml of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (10mg/kg of heated-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 1ml paraffin oil) into the right hind paw of rats and administration was done for 28days. Arthritis was assessed by measuring the paw thickness with the use of a digital vernier calliper. Body weights and biochemical parameters (serum tumor necrosis-alpha and rheumatoid factors) in the arthritic rats were also measured. Data of study obtained were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey’s post hoc test. From the results of this study, the aqueous leaf and root extracts of Alafia barteri caused a significant reduction (p˂0.05) in paw thickness and increase in body weight of the rats. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and rheumatoid factor were decreased in arthritic rats, which is suggestive of its anti-inflammatory effect caused by the root and leaf aqueous and ethanol extracts of Alafia barteri.

Keywords: Alafia barteri, arthritis, tumor necrosis factor, rheumatoid factor, rat.