EVALUATION OF ANTINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF GUIERA SENEGALENSIS IN FORMALIN INDUCED PAW EDEMA IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

ABSTRACT Inflammation is a protective response of the body against harmful stimuli but, if unresolved, can progress to chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and fibrosis. Despite the availability of synthetic anti-inflammatory agents, their long-term use is often limited by adverse side effects. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis, a plant widely used in traditional medicine for treating inflammatory disorders. Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, dried, and extracted using 90% ethanol, yielding 19.3% of a deep brown extract. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, while steroids were absent. Acute toxicity studies in mice showed no mortality up to 5000 mg/kg, indicating a wide safety margin. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the formalin-induced paw edema model in Swiss albino mice at doses of 375, 750, and 1500 mg/kg, with diclofenac (25 mg/kg) as the standard drug. The extract produced a dose-dependent reduction in paw edema, with the highest inhibition observed at 1500 mg/kg, though less pronounced than diclofenac. The findings suggest that the ethanol leaf extract of G. senegalensis possesses significant anti-inflammatory activity attributable to its phytochemical constituents, particularly flavonoids and alkaloids. The results provide scientific support for its traditional use and highlight its potential development as a natural alternative to conventional anti-inflammatory drugs. The ethanol extract of G. senegalensis at doses of 375,750,1500mg/kg significantly reduced formalin-induced paw edema in mice at 0, 30 and 90 minutes. The extract at a dose of 1500mg/kg produced a significant reduction in paw edema as well. The ethanol leaf extract of Guiera senegalensis possesses anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, likely due to the synergistic effects of its phytochemical constituents. The extract demonstrated a wide margin of safety, with no acute toxicity observed up to 5000 mg/kg. Its efficacy increased with higher doses, suggesting a dose-dependent relationship. While the extract’ s effect was slightly lower than that of diclofenac, the results validate its traditional use in managing inflammation and support its potential development as a natural anti-inflammatory agent.