Phytochemical analysis and the anti-inflammatory activity of methanol root extract of cryptolepis sanguinolenta (periplocaceae)

The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic root extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta against paw edema induced by egg albumin and carrageenan in rats. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity test (LD50) of the ethanol extract was also carried out. The results obtained show that the methanol root extract of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in the entire model studied. The extract at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg showed an inhibition (25.20, 38.21 and 50.41 %) and (43.1, 54.30 and 67.00 %) against acute paw edema-induced by egg albumin and carrageenan respectively at 3 h. The LD50 of the extract was 1265.40 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis of the extract show that it contains carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, tannins, proteins, steroids and terpenoids. The present study justifies the use of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta as an anti-inflammatory agent in traditional medicine.