ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

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.

Acalypha indica Linn. stem, a widely utilised medicinal plant in traditional health systems, was investigated for its phytochemical composition, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) activities. The stem bark was successfully extracted with ethyl acetate using cold maceration techniques. The phytochemical examination, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory activity, glucose adsorption assay, and in vivo anti- BPH evaluation were carried out using established analytical methods.Phytochemical profiling using GC–FID revealed appreciable levels of phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids, including ephedrine (19.21 mg/g), cortisol (10.06 mg/g), rutin (0.64 mg/g) and quercetin (0.50 mg/g), alongside phenolic compounds such as resveratrol (1.43 mg/g). The antioxidant potential were examined using Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) Assay. The extract
displayed concentration-dependent total antioxidant capacity, increasing from approximately 15%-19.7% across near 0–80 mg/mL concentration. In anti-inflammatory assessment, the extract significantly inhibited heat-induced haemolysis, with values increasing from approximately 45% to 55% inhibition at the highest concentration, indicating potent membrane-stabilising ability. In anti-diabetic evaluation, the glucose adsorption capacity of the extract ranged from 1.38–0.17 mM/g at (0–80 mg/mL glucose) concentration, having higher adsorption at 20mg/ml lower than acarbose (4.84–10.78 mM/g), but showing inconsistent adsorption behaviour across concentrations. In testosterone-induced BPH rats, the extract produced significant modulation of prostate biomarkers. Serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) decreased from 2.40 ± 0.64 ng/mL in testosterone induced BPH control to 1.37 ± 0.03, 1.07 ± 0.09 and 1.17 ± 0.15 ng/mL at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, approaching values similar to normal control at higher doses. dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels reduced from 66.23 ± 11.03 ng/mL in testosterone induced BPH control to 47.70 ± 3.91, 38.40 ± 4.33 and 42.30 ± 5.08 ng/mL, while prostate volume and weight were markedly lowered, with 100 mg/kg producing the greatest reduction (0.06 ± 0.01 mL and 0.190 ± 0.01 g), comparable to finasteride -a standard control drug. All extract-treated groups showed consistent increases in body weight over 14 days, particularly at 50 and 100 mg/kg, indicating
good tolerance. The combined antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities demonstrated the protective ability of the extract against BPH-associated changes. These findings conclude that Acalypha indica stem extract possesses promising therapeutic
potential as a natural agent for the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, warranting further toxicological and clinical investigations.