Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of crude extract and fractions of <i>Napoleonae imperialis</i> in streptozotocin- induced albino rats

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of crude extract and fractions of Napoleonae imperialis in streptozotocin- induced albino rats. In phase one of the study, forty- two male albino rats of mean weight 140 g were used. The animals were grouped into seven groups of six rats each. Group 1 (normal control, that received feed and water only), group 2 (negative control group that was induced with streptozotocin without treatment), group 3 (drug control that received 5 mg/kg body weight of glibenclamide), groups 4, 5 and 6 were the test groups administered 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract, respectively, while group 7 received 500 mg/kg body weight of the extract only. There was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in nitric oxide, C-reactive protein and troponin concentrations in groups 3 – 7 when compared with group 2. In phase two, a total of 54 animals of mean weight 140 g were placed into nine groups of six rats each. Group 1 (normal control, received feed and water only), group 2 (negative control, that was induced with streptozotocin without treatment), group 3 (drug control, that received 5 mg/kg body weight of glibenclamide), while groups 4 - 6 received fractions 1 - 3 respectively for 28 days.. There was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in nitric oxide, Creactive protein and troponin in fractions 1 - 3 when compared with group 2. These findings indicated that crude extract and fractions of N. imperialis possesses anti-inflammatory effects in streptozotocin induced albino rats.