Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and anti-edematous activities of aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latilolius (sm.) Bruce ripe fruits in rat

Background: The vegetative system of Sarcocephalus latifolius represents a natural source of active substances, as the species is used in traditional african medicine to treat several diseases involving inflammation and oxidation.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius ripe fruits in rats.

Material and method: DPPH radical scavenging and iron reduction were used to assess antioxidant activity in vitro. Rat paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran and formalin was used to assess acute and subacute anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.

Results: Extract at 10 mg/mL yielded 92.95±11.44 mg EAG/g total polyphenols, 0.082±0.005 mg ERu/g total flavonoids and 0.14 ± 0.003 mg EAT/g condensed tannins. Aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius ripe fruits showed DPPH radical inhibition with an IC50 greater than 25 μg/mL. DPPH inhibition by gallic acid was 92.91% at 25 μg/mL. IC50 of ascorbic acid and aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius on Fe3+reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were 18.9 μg/mL and 111.6 μg/mL, respectively. For carrageenan, the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius ripe fruits showed a maximal anti-inflammatory effect at five hours, with inhibitions (p<0.05) of 48.49% at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 56.16% at 300 mg/kg. For dextran, the inhibitions (p<0.01) observed at the thirtieth minute were 34.55% at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 44.44% at 300 mg/kg. For formalin, significant inhibitions (p<0.05) on the first day were 29.19% at 200 mg/kg and 30.60% at 300 mg/kg.

Conclusion: These results confirm the use of Sarcocephalus latifolius ripe fruits in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component and involving oxidative stress.