Vol. 3, Issue 3 (2014)

Author(s):
Agbai Emmanuel Onuka, Mounmbegna Pouonkoussou Emmanuel, Professor Egbe Philip Egbengu

Abstract:
The anti-inflammatory activity of methanol extract of hibiscus sabdariffa in comparison with most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug was studied in 25 adult albino rats. Acute inflammation was induced using 0.1 ml of egg albumin and was treated with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the extract and aspirin (200 mg/kg). The sizes of the right hind paw of the twenty five rats were measured by threading a measuring tape around the foot for 2 hours. Results showed that 400 mg/kg of hibiscus extract significantly reduced (P<0.05) the paw size edema at 60 minutes (24.8±0.17) compared to aspirin (27.4±0.11). Aspirin showed late rapid onset of reduction of the paw size edema at 90 minutes (17.2±0.16). There was percentage inhibition (48, 60, 95 and 96%) after treatment with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of hibiscus sabdariffa and aspirin (200 mg/kg) but percentage inhibition was more prominent only at high dose concentration of extract (400 mg/kg) and aspirin. Data suggest that the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts is concentration dependent and also as potent as aspirin.