ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF SELECTED NIGERIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS

Extracts of nineteen plant species from an inventory of Nigerian medicinal plants were screened for activity in two in vitro anti-inflammatory model test systems, inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and PAF-induced elastase release from neutrophilis. Anacardium occidentale and Acalipha hispida were active in both test systems. Amatranthus spinosus had high specific prostaglandin synthesis inhibitory activity, while Bryophyllum pinnatum and Combretodendron macrocarpum had specific activity in the PAF elastase release test. The results obtained were related to the traditional uses of the plants and chemical constituents where known. Key Words: Nigerian medicinal plants; anti-inflammatory activity, prostaglandin biosynthesis; PAF-induced elastase release Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.1 1997: 10-1