Eleusine indica Linn, Baertin (Poaceae) Ethanol Leaf Extract and Its Ethyl Acetate Fraction Display Potential Anti-inflammatory Activities

Objective: Inflammation is the underlying cause of most of the chronic diseases that occur with aging. Although many drugs are available for the management of inflammatory disorders and their symptoms, most of these drugs possess serious adverse effects that limit their usefulness. This has encouraged the unending search for potent anti-inflammatory drugs from plant sources as alternatives to conventional drug treatment of inflammation. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol leaf extract of E. indica and the ethylacetate fraction in rodents.

Materials and Methods: The leaves were extracted with ethanol by cold maceration and the extract was fractionated with n-hexane, ethylacetate, butanol and water. The oral acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract and the phytochemical constituents of the extract and the fractions were determined. The anti-inflammatory activities of the ethanol extract (EE) and ethylacetate fraction (ETF) and their possible mechanisms of actions were investigated.

Results: The oral LD50 of the extract was above 5000 mg/kg. Both the EE and ETF displayed dose-dependent inhibition of the rat paw edema, with ETF producing between 48-54% edema inhibition. Xylene-induced topical edema was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by both the EE and ETF, with ETF causing between 48 and 65% inhibition. The EE and ETF preserved the integrity of gastric mucosa. Their average ulcer index (1.37±0.02) was significantly lower than that of indomethacin (5.20±0.23). Pre-treatment with the EE and ETF significantly (p < 0.05) reduced leucocyte migration, especially the neutrophils. Both heat- and hypotonicity-induced hemolysis of RBC membrane were remarkably inhibited.

Conclusion: The mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity may involve among others inhibition of leukocyte migration and membrane stabilization.