Anti-inflammatory and Diuretic Activities of Moringa oleiferaLam. (Moringaceae) and Andrographis paniculata Burm.f. (Acanthaceae) Co- administered in Rats
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Date
2016
Journal Title
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Publisher
Pharmaceutical research, development and Practices
Abstract
Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) and Andrographis paniculata Burm.f. (Acanthaceae) are
commonly used medicine plants in several parts of Nigeria. The leaf extract of M. oleifera (MO)
has been extensively studied and used traditionally for its anti-inflammatory and diuretic
activities. Because of the wide medicinal benefits of these plants they are often used together in
polyherbal formulation(s).
This study was aimed at evaluating some biological activities of MO and A. paniculata (AP)
administered singly and in combination. This aim was pursued using in vivo acute toxicity study,
formalin induced rat paw edema and diuretic assay.
The leaf extracts MO and AP were observed to be safe up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. The
extract of MO and AP at 100 mg/kg body weight displayed 69.44 and 10.10 % inhibition of rat
paw edema respectively, while the combination of extract elicited weaker inhibition (11.29 %) of
paw volume. The extract of MO and AP when administered singly and in various combination at
different doses elicited similar diuretic activity compared to the hydrochlorothiazide except at a
combined dose of MO 50 mg/kg + AP 50 mg/kg, where the urine volume (1.27±0.60 mL) was
lower compared to the negative control (1.62±0.52 mL).
The extracts of MO and AP were observed to be relatively safe. The extract of MO had
significant anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities compared to AP. However the combination
of both plants extracts led to inhibition of the anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities of MO.
Description
Keywords
Moringa oleifera, Andrographis paniculata, Combination, Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic activity, Polyherbal formulation