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

<div><strong>Background</strong>: The vegetative system of <em>Sarcocephalus latifolius</em> represents a natural source of active substances, as the species is used in traditional african medicine to treat several diseases involving inflammation and oxidation.</div> <div><strong>Objective:</strong> The aim of the study is to determine the phytochemical composition and evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of <em>Sarcocephalus latifolius</em> ripe fruits in rats.</div> <div><strong>Material and method</strong>: DPPH radical scavenging and iron reduction were used to assess antioxidant activity <em>in vitro</em>. Rat paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran and formalin was used to assess acute and subacute anti-inflammatory activity <em>in vivo</em>.</div> <div><strong>Results:</strong> 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 <em>Sarcocephalus latifoliu</em>s ripe fruits showed DPPH radical inhibition with an IC<sub>50</sub> greater than 25 μg/mL. DPPH inhibition by gallic acid was 92.91% at 25 μg/mL. IC<sub>50</sub> of ascorbic acid and aqueous extract of <em>Sarcocephalus latifolius</em> on Fe<sup>3+</sup>reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were 18.9 μg/mL and 111.6 μg/mL, respectively. For carrageenan, the aqueous extract of <em>Sarcocephalus latifolius</em> 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.</div> <div><strong>Conclusion:</strong> These results confirm the use of <em>Sarcocephalus latifolius</em> ripe fruits in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component and involving oxidative stress.</div>