Chloroform seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea (Capparaceae) ameliorates complete Freund's adjuvant–induced chronic inflammation in rat

Background: Buchholzia coriacea seeds are used in traditional African medicine as remedies for various diseases including sinusitis, nasal congestion, ulcers, rheumatic pains, febrile convulsions, and dementia. Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of chloroform seed extract of Buchholzia coriacea (CEBC) on complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced inflammation in rats. Methods: CEBC (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or celecoxib (30 mg/kg, p.o.; standard reference drug) were administered for 28 days after administration of CFA on day 1. The effects of CEBC on inflammation index, haematological and biochemical profiles as well as oxidative stress parameters were assayed. Results: CEBC (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively) reduction in CFA-induced oedema in the rats' paw in a non-dose-dependent manner with highest effect observed at 200 mg/kg/day. The extract (200 or 400 mg/kg) also caused significant decrease (p<0.001 and p<0.0001, respectively) in serum AST levels when compared to CFA-vehicle treated. Furthermore, CEBC increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities with a corresponding reduction in the MDA concentration when compared with CFA-vehicle treated. Conclusion: Findings from this study showed that the chloroform extract of B. coriacea possesses anti-inflammatory effect possibly through inhibition of release of inflammatory mediators and enhancement of antioxidant defense system. This lends further credence to the folklore use of B. coriacea in the management of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.