Phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory evaluation of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn (Euphorbiaceae)

Euphobia heterophylla is a local medicinal plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of constipation, bronchitis and asthma. The aqueous decoction and the methanolic extracts were subjected to anti-inflammatory activity using experimental animal model, in the presence of the positive control drugs. The inflammation was induced by carraegenean. From the results obtained the aqueous extract showed significant activity (P < 0.001) comparable to the reference drug used. At the different dose range used (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), there was no significant differences in their anti-inflammatory activity hence they were not dose-dependent. However, the methanolic extract did not show any appreciable activity (20-24% inhibition) and were also not dose-dependent. The results of the study showed the justification of the use of the plant in the treatment of inflammatory disease conditions, and the active chemical constituents when isolated will be added to the present anti-inflammatory agents.Key words: Anti-inflammatory activity, Euphorbia heterophylla, leaf extract