Anti-inflammatory Activity of Acutely Administered Methanolic Leaf Extract of Croton zambesicus Linn in Laboratory Rats

The present study investigated the acute anti-inflammatory effects of methanolic leaf extract of Croton zambesicus (MECZ) in laboratory rats using egg albumin-induced paw oedema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis models. A total of 62 albino rats were used and grouped accordingly to receive varying doses of MECZ (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg), standard drug (Diclofenac 20 mg/kg), and normal saline. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, triterpenes, saponins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, and steroids. The extract exhibited a dose-dependent and statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction in paw oedema compared to the control. The 100 mg/kg MECZ dose produced effects comparable to diclofenac in both egg albumin-induced paw oedema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis models. The LD₅₀ was calculated to be 3807.98 mg/kg, indicating a high margin of safety. These findings suggest that MECZ possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties, supporting its traditional use in managing inflammation-related conditions.