CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Inflammation is one of bodyÕs natural ways of protecting itself. It is also an essential reaction of the body to infection. Too little of an inflammatory response, and the body is unable to repel microbial invasions or heal injuries. Too much of an inflammatory response, and the immune system begins attacking the bodyÕs own organs eventually leading to chronic disease (Sears, 2000).

Anti-Inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. There are obvious clinical markers of inflammation which include pain, redness, fever, swelling and loss of function (Pai et al. 2004). However if inflammation is allowed to continue unchecked it may results in neurodegenerative disease or cancer (Pai et al. 2004). A variety of safe and effective anti-inflammatory agents are available including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID are usually indicated for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation. NSAIDS work by reducing the production of prostaglandins (Bayness & Marek, 2005). Prostaglandins are chemicals that promote inflammation, pain and fever. The enzymes that produce prostaglandins are phospholipaseA2, PGH2synthase and Cyclooxygenase (Cox). There are two types of COX enzymes, cyclooxygenase-1 (Cox-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2). NSAIDS reduce the production of prostaglandin by inhibiting COX enzymes resultant effect is that, therefore, inflammation, pain and fever are reduced. Some herbs and plants possess anti-inflammatory and they include:

S/No Common Botanical
Name Name

1 Andiroba oil Carapa It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids
guianensis that promote skin healing from
cuts and may slow growth of skin
cells in psoriasis and age spots.
It relieves pain and swelling

2 Alfalfa Medicago It serves as an oxidant in the
sativa L. blood stream. They are staple of
salads and contain nutrient, the
leaves hold the best healing
potential and contain
phytoestrogens that could be
beneficial in menopausal and
breast feeding women.

3 Aloe Vera Gel Aloe vera The leaf juices of the aloe plant
have important medicinal uses.
It stimulates collagen synthesis
and skin regeneration after a
burn; it helps heal acne, improve
the appearance of wrinkles and
hydrate damaged skin.

4 Apple Malus Other names include apple cider
domestica vinegar, wine vinegar. The best
of the medicinal compounds are
contained in the apple peel. It
helps in relieving arthritis, apple
contains malic and tartaric acids,
salts of potassium, sodium,
magnesium and iron.

Copyright © 2005-2013

AnnieÕs Remedy (Anniesremedy.com).

Crateva adansonii belonging to the family Capparacea

and phylum Magnoliophyta is small tree of forest and

savanna woodland, often on river-banks, widely distributed in Nigeria and across Africa. The leaves are applied externally to relieve pain in joint, the fresh juice of leaves is used for the relief of ear-ache, eye infection and anodyne in toothache. Powder of bark is used in rheumatism, itch, epilepsy and asthma (Sivarajan & Balachandran, 1994).

1.2 Crateva adansonii as a plant.

The flowering tree Crateva adansonii is called the sacred garlic pear and temple plant. The tree is sometimes called the spider tree because the showy flowers bear long, spidery stamens. It is native to Japan, Australia, much of south East Asia and several south pacific Islands. It grows in forest and savanna woodland, often on river-banks from Senegal to N Nigeria, and across Africa to Zaire, Tanganyika and Madagascar. The plants common name is amakarode in Igbo, In Yoruba, it is egun-orun and in Hausa, it is ungududu. The tree

attains approximately 15m height. The trunk is irregular, seldom straight, but is worthy of cultivation as an ornamental for its dense masses of white flowers borne at the ends of all the shoots. In the bush, owing to grass burning which it survives and repeated stripping of its leaves, the tree is often stunted. The wood is soft and yellow and strong-smelling when cut. The leaves are however eaten in soups or mixed with cereals. They are boiled and added to mixture called in Hausa ÒKwadoÓ containing a paste of locust beans, Parkia Spp. (Leguminosae Mimisoideae). The Yoruba consumes the leaves as a potherb.

In upper volt they are the ingredient of sauces. To some people the leaves are taken only in time of dearth and they are sold in northern markets. The bark is widely used for stomach-troubles in Nigeria. In Jebel Marra a bark-paste is used as a poultice on swellings.

Crateva adansonii is a decidious plant with three-palmate leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one

another. They are elliptic with entire margins. The flowers are pale green. The plants bloom from March to May. The flowers are arranged in racemes. The fruits are berries. It can withstand temperatures above 1oc and 2oc (Burkill, 1985).

Taxonomy

Family: Capparaceae

Genus: Crateva

Species: Crateva adansonii DC

Phylum/Division: Magnoliophyta

Sub division: Magnoliophytina

Classes: Rosopsida

Sub class: Dilleniidae

Super order: Violanae

Order: Capparales

The medicinal effect of Crateva adansonii plant bark is includes general healing, leprosy, stomach troubles. For the leaf, it is used in eye treatments, liver, for leaf; a pain-killer, for roots, dropsy, swellings, edema, gout,

veneral diseases. Powder of bark is used in rheumatism,

itch, epilepsy and asthma.

1.3 Research Aim and Objectives

Aim:

To study the anti-inflammatory effect of dichloromethane fraction extracts from Crateva adansonii on rats.

Objectives:

i) To determine the anti-inflammatory effect of

Crateva adansonii extracts in methanol on rats.

ii) To determine the phytochemicals present in

Crateva adansonii extract in methanol on rats.