Anti-inflammatory effects of aqueous extract of Cyphostemma glaucophilla leaves

Abstract

The aqueous extract of Cyphostemma glaucophilla (AQEC) is used to treat kwashiorkor effectively in ethnomedicine. Inflammation is a major symptom of kwashiorkor. The AQEC was therefore investigated for anti- inflammatory effect by the method of Nwodo(1981). AQEC was found to inhibit rat paw Oedema formation induced by Agar suspension in a dose related manner. Similarly, it produced concentration dependent inhibitions of hypotonicity induced haemolysis of human red blood cell suspension, calcium chloride induced aggregation of human platelets and of calcium chloride evoked mitochondrial swelling. It is thought that the extract exerted anti-inflammatory effect by membrane stabilization.