Anti-inflammatory and Anti-plasmodial Activities of Methanol Extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae) Leaves

Background and Objective: Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. (Fabaceae) is used in folk medicine in Burkina Faso to treat inflammatory diseases including malaria, ulcer, rheumatism and infectious disease. The aim of this study was to carry out the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of methanol extract of Pterocarpus erinaceus leaves studying anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-plasmodial activities. Methodology: The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of methanol extract of leaves were studied by carrageenan-induced paw edema test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI). Methanol extract effect on Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF alpha) and Nitric Oxide (NO) production was evaluated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrayl, Sigma (DPPH) and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the extract. Test against Plasmodium berghei infected mice was used to evaluate the anti-plasmodial activity of methanol. Results: At doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg kg(-1), oral administration of methanol extract significantly produced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in dose-dependent manner. Methanol extract inhibited release of NO and TNF alpha in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The capacity of extract to scavenge free radical was lower than trolox and rutin. Plasmodium inhibition of extract was expressed at 50 and 100 mg kg(-1). Conclusion: These results indicate that the leaves of Pterocarpus erinaceus have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which support its traditional medicine use.