CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AIM AND OBJECTIVES

Inflammation is one of body’s 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 body’s 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.

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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 phospholipaseA

2

PGH

2

synthase 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

Name

Botanical

Name

1 Andiroba oil Carapa

guianensis

It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids

that promote skin healing from

cuts and may slow growth of skin

cells in psoriasis and age spots.

It relieves pain and swelling

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2 Alfalfa Medicago

sativa L.

It serves as an oxidant in the

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

domestica

Other names include apple cider

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

Annie’s Remedy (Anniesremedy.com).

Crateva adansonii belonging to the family Capparacea

and phylum Magnoliophyta is small tree of forest and

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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

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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 “Kwado”

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

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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 1

o

c and

2

o

c (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

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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.

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