Abstract

This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of Commelina ascendens using experimentally induced inflammatory models in rats. Oedema was induced on the rat hind paw by the injection of 0.1 mL of undiluted fresh egg albumin (phlogistic agent) into the subplantar surface of the right rat paw. Oedema was assessed in terms of volume of distilled water displaced by the paw. Tissue granuloma was induced in the rats by the subcutaneous implantation of two sterile cotton pellet (20 mg each) in both axillae region of anaesthetised rats. C. ascendens extract was orally administered to the rats for seven consecutive days. On day 8, the animals were sacrificed and the pellets surrounded by granuloma tissue were dissected out, dried and weighed. Phytochemical screening and acute toxicity test were carried out using standard procedures. The extract of C. ascendens significantly (p<0.05) reduced the fresh egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema. The extract at 400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) reduced the granuloma tissue formed in the treated groups as compared to the control. The extract was safe up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg and did not cause any mortality in rats, thus an indication of high safety profile. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, saponins, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids. This study shows that C. ascendens possess anti-inflammatory activity.

Key words: Commelina ascendens, egg albumin, cotton pellets, edema, granuloma.