Phytochemical investigation and anti-inflammatory property of ethanol-water extract of the roots of Anthocleista djalonensis A. Chev. (Gentianiaceae)

Anthocleista djalonensis A.Chev. (Gentianiaceae) a plant of West African origin is used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders traditionally. Phytochemical screening of the plant root material gave positive result for tannins, saponins and carbohydrate; but negative for alkaloids and flavonoids. The ethanol-water (1:1) extract of the root material was subjected to anti-inflammatory activity using experimental animal model. From the results obtained, the crude extract showed significant activity (p < 0.05) comparable to the reference drug used. Chromatographic separation of the crude extract furnished a yellow viscous liquid, identified spectroscopically as sweroside. The pure compound was also subjected to anti-inflammatory activity, this showed significant activity (p < 0.05) at 100 mg/kg. The results of the study showed the justification of the use of the plant in the treatment of inflammatory disorders in ethnomedicine.Key words: Anti-inflammatory activity, Anthocleista djalonensis, ethanol-water extract, swerosid