Abstract:
Background: Despite the widespread use of Ziziphus abyssinica (ZAE) roots and claims of its efficacy against
diverse inflammatory conditions in traditional medicine, there is paucity of information on the scientific basis
for its folkloric use.
Objectives: The current study evaluated the anti-inflammatory property of the root bark extract of ZAE and its
possible mechanism(s) of action in in vivo and in vitro experimental models.
Methods: Anti-inflammatory activity of ZAE was assessed in vitro using heat and hypotonic solution – induced
haemolysis as well as egg albumin (EA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assays. Carrageenan
and formalin-induced paw oedema and carrageenan-induced peritonitis in rats were used to evaluate the
anti-inflammatory property of the extract in vivo.
Results: ZAE (100, 300 and 1000 µg/mL) significantly inhibited heat and hypotonic solution-induced
haemolysis as well as EA and BSA-induced denaturation. ZAE (300 mg/kg, p.o.) similar to diclofenac (10 mg/kg,
p.o.), significantly (P<0.05) reduced paw oedema by 40.77±6.82 and 54.81 ± 3.74% respectively in
carrageenan-induced paw oedema test. The percentage inhibitions produced by ZAE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg,
p.o.) were 3.31±22.12, 49.89±2.98 and 76.98±0.50 % respectively compared to 80.51±0.53 % produced by
diclofenac (10 mg/kg, p.o.) in the formalin-induced paw oedema test. Massive recruitment of leukocytes
(mainly neutrophils) into the peritoneal cavity of the rats by carrageenan was significantly (P<0.01) reduced by
ZAE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg p.o.) and dexamethasone (5 mg/kg, p.o.).
Conclusions: The inhibitory effect of ZAE against acute inflammation in this study provides scientific basis for
its use in folk medicine and reveals its potential as a source of novel anti-inflammatory agent.
