Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of the Leaf Extract and Fractions of Ipomoea Quamoclit in Albino Wistar Rats

Background: Medicinal plants have been shown to contain intrinsic active ingredients that can be used for curative purpose for some diseases. Ipomoea quamoclit is one of such ethnomedicinal plants of reported health benefits. Aim of Study: This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract and fractions of the leaves of Ipomoea quamoclit Mill. Materials and Methods: Ipomoea quamoclit leaves were harvested and extracted with 80% ethanol by cold maceration for 48 hours and the crude extract was fractionated to obtain n-hexane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate fraction, respectively. The crude extract and its fractions were screened to unveil the resident phytochemical constituents. The ethanol extract was tested for acute toxicity (LD50). The systemic acute inflammation of the crude extract and fractions of Ipomoea quamoclit was studied using the water (fluid) displacement method after inducing inflammation with egg albumin, using rats. The effect of the crude extract and fractions of Ipomoea quamoclit on arthritis was studied using the formaldehyde-induced arthritis model in rats. Results: The results of the qualitative phytochemical evaluation of the plant confirmed the presence of these phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins, and coumarins. There were no deaths recorded for acute toxicity study for both phases of the test. In the acute anti-inflammation assay, significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory activities were observed from the 5th hour for the ethyl acetate fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg) and the butanol fraction (400 mg/kg). The anti-arthritic activity of the crude extract (150 mg/kg), ethyl acetate fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg), n-hexane fraction (150 mg/kg) and butanol fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg) was obvious from the second day after administration. By the 10th day the crude extract (50, 150, and 400 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate fraction (150 and 400 mg/kg) brought about a significant reduction of chronic inflammation (arthritis) in the test animals to normal basal levels. Conclusions: This study thus provides scientific information and validates the ethnobotanical use of Ipomoea quamoclit leaves in management of diseases and inflammation inclusive. The findings of this study also reveal that potentially Ipomoea quamoclit could be a source of pharmacologically active compounds of pharmaceutical importance.