Study on the anti-inflammatory and in vivo antioxidant effects of crude leaf extract and fractions of Ipomoea involucrata in Albino Wistar Rats

Traditional African herbalist uses Ipomoea involucrata to treat fever, gonorrhea, and asthma among other diseases. An animal model has not been used to compare its crude leaf extract and fractions on anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of crude leaf extracts and fractions of Ipomoea involucrata using albino Wistar rats. Phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. Crude extract and fractions of were tested for anti-inflammatory activity against Carrageenan-induced edema in Wistar rats weighing 160-180 g. The rats were separated into 13 groups (n=5) that received low (250 mg/kg) and high (500 mg/kg) doses of crude and fractions of the extracts. Data was analyzed with one-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc turkey’s test. Results were presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of sample replicates. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The crude extract and the fractions exhibited significant (p<0.05) potent anti-inflammatory activity, with the ethyl acetate fraction at 500 mg/kg producing the highest percentage (90.94%) reduction in paw edema induced by carrageenan. In the antioxidant biochemical assay, ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and ethanol extracts elicited significant (P<0.05) increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels. However, there was a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) better than the other extracts, as well as the control group. Our findings provided additional evidence to support the traditional use of Ipomoea involucrata for the treatment of inflammation. Moreover, the study unveils its antioxidant properties and healing effects.