PREVENTIVE EFFECT OF INDUCED INFLAMMATIONS ON SWISS ALBINO MICE AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Dioscorea alata (WATER YAM)
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Abstract
Inflammation is a fundamental biological response of the immune system that protects the body against harmful stimuli but can lead to pathological conditions when prolonged or uncontrolled. Current anti-inflammatory therapies, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are effective but associated with side effects, prompting the need for alternative remedies from natural sources. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata (water yam) on experimentally induced paw edema in albino mice. Fresh tubers of Dioscorea alata were collected, processed, and extracted with ethanol. Sixty albino mice were used and divided into three (3) groups for acute and chronic inflammation models induced by carrageenan, egg albumin, and formaldehyde. Test groups received oral doses of Dioscorea alata extract (20
mg/kg and 250 mg/kg), while negative and positive controls received normal saline and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) as a standard drug respectively. Paw volume was measured at specified time intervals, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The results revealed that Dioscorea alata extract significantly reduced paw edema across all
models in a dose-dependent manner, with higher doses exhibiting comparable effects to indomethacin. Both acute and chronic inflammation models demonstrated notable antiinflammatory activity, suggesting the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as saponins, phenolic compounds, and diosgenin. Importantly, no mortality was observed among the treated animals. This study concludes that ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata possesses significant antiinflammatory properties, supporting its traditional use in the management of inflammatory conditions. It is recommended that further studies, including isolation of active compounds and clinical evaluations, be conducted to validate its therapeutic potential.
mg/kg and 250 mg/kg), while negative and positive controls received normal saline and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) as a standard drug respectively. Paw volume was measured at specified time intervals, and data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The results revealed that Dioscorea alata extract significantly reduced paw edema across all
models in a dose-dependent manner, with higher doses exhibiting comparable effects to indomethacin. Both acute and chronic inflammation models demonstrated notable antiinflammatory activity, suggesting the presence of bioactive phytochemicals such as saponins, phenolic compounds, and diosgenin. Importantly, no mortality was observed among the treated animals. This study concludes that ethanol extract of Dioscorea alata possesses significant antiinflammatory properties, supporting its traditional use in the management of inflammatory conditions. It is recommended that further studies, including isolation of active compounds and clinical evaluations, be conducted to validate its therapeutic potential.
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