The antiinflammatory activity of Icacina trichantha tuber

Five fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, methanol and water) of Icacina trichantha tuber were obtained by gradient solvent extraction and tested for their ability to inhibit the Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. The most active fraction was the chloroform one which significantly inhibited ear edema in a dose-dependent manner, showing an IDS, (dose giving 50% edema inhibition) of 107 mu g/cm(2). The ID,, of the reference drug indomethacin was 93 mu g/cm(2). The chloroform fraction significantly reduced also the carrageenin-induced paw edema in rats, after oral administration: 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg of the fraction reduced the global edematous response by 15, 20 or 34 %, whereas 10 mg/kg of indomethacin induced 40% inhibition.