**Acute Anti-inflammatory and Haematological Effects of Alkaloidal Leaf Extract of Combretum dolichopetalum (Engl & Diels)**

¹Nwuke, Chinedu Paulinus, ¹Uhuo Nnaemeka Emmanuel, ¹Uroko, Iikechukwu Robert, Alaebo,

Prince, ¹Egbuonu Cemaluk Anthony Chinedu, and ²Ibeh, Bartholomew.

Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Abia State. Nigeria.
National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja. Nigeria

Key words: Combretum dolichopetalum, alkaloids, anti-inflammatory, haematological parameters

*Corresponding author:

Page No.: 9-19
Volume: 1, Issue 1, 2020
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

Abstract

Alkaloids are among the common phytochemicals present in the extracts of Combretum dolichopetalum that exhibit its diverse effects. This study evaluated the alkaloidal extract of C. dolichopetalum for acute antiinflammatory and hematological effects. The phytochemical screening of the extract was done using standard methods. The anti-inflammatory assay was conducted in rats using subplantar injection of the phlogistic agent (egg albumin). The effect of the extract on haematological parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), White Blood Cell (WBC) and Differential White Blood counts were estimated. Alkaloidal tannates were the major constituents of the extract. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited the development of acute edema of the rat paw induced by egg abumin. There was a non significant (p > 0.05) decrease in some of the haematological parameters however, the white blood cells count was significantly reduced These results indicate that the alkaloidal extract from Combretum dolichopetalum leaf presents potent anti-inflammatory effects with minimal effect on haematological indices.