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Stereospermum kunthianum, Cham, Sandrine Petit (family: Bignoniaceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, pneumonia and coughs, gastritis, wounds, rheumatic arthritis, ulcers, dysentery, leprosy and venereal diseases in humans. The antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of the stem bark was investigated with experimental animal models using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema, leucocytes migration and granuloma air pouch tests in rats. The extract (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg) at 3 h post-treatment caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the paw oedema in rats. The effect of the extract was most pronounced at the dose of 400 mg/kg and was higher than that of indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The extract (400 mg/kg) caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the number of recruited leucocytes and it's inhibition of peritoneal exudate formation was comparable to that of indomethacin at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The exudate formation inhibited by 400 mg/kg of the extract in the granuloma air pouch test was comparatively less to that of indomethacin at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The findings of the study indicate that the aqueous extract of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark possesses antiinflammatory activity which is probably related to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. This is a possible rationale for its folkloric use as an antiinflammatory agent.

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Purpose: The aqueous fruit pulp extract of Hunteria umbellata K. Schum is used traditionally for the treatment of various fevers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extract for antipyretic and analgesic activity; and determine its probable mechanism of action. Methods: Pyrexia was induced in rabbits by intravenous injection of 105 CFU of E. coli/kg. Rectal temperature was monitored at 30; 60; and 90 min post-administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract. The analgesic effect of the extract was evaluated using acetic acid-induced mouse writhing test. The extract was tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus; Klebsiella pnuemoniae; Escherichia coli; and Psuedomonas aeruginosa using agar diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the plant extract was also carried out. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of simple sugars; saponins; flavonoids; alkaloids and steroidal compounds. The extract (250; 500 mg/kg) and aspirin produced comparable antipyretic effects up to 60 min. The extract did not inhibit the growth of the microorganisms but significantly reduced the number of writhes in mice at 250 and 500 mg/kg with results comparable to ASA. Conclusion: The extract possesses antipyretic and analgesic activities which validate its use in the treatment of pains and fevers

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The reaction of phthalimide derivatives (1a-c) with 1-methylethylamine in dimethylformamide (DMF) at room temperature afforded benzamido-N-prop-2-ynyl-2-(2-methylethyl)-carboxamide (3a), benzamido-N-cyclopentyl-2-(2-methylethyl)-car-boxamide (3b) and benzamido-N-benzyl-2-(2-methylethyl)-carboxamide (3c), respectively. In the carrageenan induced paw oedema test for anti-inflammatory activity, 3a (50 mg/kg) decreased the inflammatory response by 55% after 3 hrs while 3b and 3c exhibited significant reduction in the oedema level. The compounds 3a, 3b and 3c exhibited analgesic activities with 3b producing 76% inhibition. The activities were dose - dependent.

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The aqueous extract of Crinum glaucum was investigated for its effects on rat passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction, rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation and allergic bronchoconstriction in the guinea pig. The extract demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in area of dye leakage. The extract, administered for five days, inhibited mast cell degranulation of normal and passively sensitized rats induced by dextran and antigen. Allergic bronchoconstriction in actively sensitized guinea pigs was inhibited by the extract. The effects of the extract observed were comparable to those of sodium cromoglycate. These results substantiate the efficacy of the extract in the treatment of asthma, in traditional medicine.

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The aqueous extract of Persea americana leaves produced a dose-dependent inhibition of both phases of formalin pain test in mice, a reduction in mouse writhing induced by acetic acid and an elevation of pain threshold in the hot plate test in mice. The extract also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema. The results obtained indicate that the extract possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

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The aqueous extract of Crinum glaucum was evaluated for its effects on antigen and histamine induced contraction of the ileum and on mediator release from the lungs of sensitized guinea pigs. The results show that the extract dose dependently inhibited the contractions induced by antigen and histamine in vitro and in vivo. The extract also inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, the quantity of mediators antigenically released from the lungs and reduced the mepyramine resistant activity from the lungs. The results obtained indicate that the extract possesses antianaphylactic properties, which may account for its use as an antiasthmatic in traditional medicine.

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The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the aqueous extract of Crinum glaucum were evaluated in mice and rats using the carrageenan- and dextran-induced paw oedema, acetic acid-induced writhing, cold water tail flick and formalin pain tests. The extract (100-400 mg/kg) and acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) produced a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the second phase response in the formalin pain model, while only the high dose (400 mg/kg) of the extract showed an antinociceptive effect in the first phase. The extract also showed a dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes. The tail flick latency was dose dependently enhanced by the extract but this was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that produced by morphine (2 mg/kg). The extract (125-500 mg/kg) administered 1 h before or after carrageenan-induced paw swelling produced a dose dependent inhibition of the oedema. No effect was observed with the dextran-induced oedema model. The data obtained suggest that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of the extract may be mediated via both peripheral and central mechanisms.

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The effects of the methanolic extract of Acanthus montanus on different smooth muscle preparations have been investigated. The extract (6.25-100 microg/ml) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation and inhibition of the spontaneous contraction of the rabbit jejunum which was reversed by CaCl2 (0.1-1mM). This effect of the extract was not blocked by propranolol (3 x 10(-7) M) but partially antagonised by phentolamine (10(-6)-3 x 10(-6) M), procaine (10(-3) M) and methylene blue (10(-5) M). The extract also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation of the KCl-precontracted taenia coli of the guinea-pig which was partially blocked by propranolol (3 x 10(-5) M) that completely blocked isoprenaline (10(-8)-3 x 10(-4) M) relaxation of the tissue. Methylene blue (10(-5) M) and procaine (10(-3) M) completely blocked the direct relaxant effects of the extract and isoprenaline on the guinea-pig taenia coli. The extract (0.1-1mg/ml) shifted the concentration-response curves of CaCl2 to the right in a concentration-dependent manner on the guinea-pig taenia coli. These effects of the extract suggest a non specific smooth muscle relaxant activity.

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