Various parts of Albizia zygia (DC.) Macbr. (Family: Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) are used traditionally in the management of arthritis and pain. The present study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and in vivo antioxidant effects of the hydroethanolic root extract of Albizia zygia in animal models. Oedema was induced by the injection of carrageenan (2% suspension) into the right footpads of 7-day old chicks. The footpad thickness was measured hourly for 5 h. Carrageenan was also administered into rat paw subcutaneous tissues, which subsequently induced oxidative stress and inflammation at the injected site. After 5 h the rats were sacrificed and inflamed paw tissues isolated for antioxidant enzyme analysis. The extract (30-300 mg/kg, p.o.) and the positive control, diclofenac (3-30 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly attenuated pedal oedema when given either pre-emptively or curatively. The extract also augmented the endogenous expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as reduced the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level at the inflamed site. The results suggest that the hydroethanolic extract of Albizia zygia exerts in vivo anti-inflammatory activity after oral administration and also has antioxidant properties which may contribute to its activity.
Key words: inflammation
oxidative stress
oedema
carrageenan
antioxidant
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