Anti-inflammatory effect and lipoidal content of Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Wight & Arn leaves

Acrocarpus fraxinifolius Wight et Arn commonly known as mundane and shingle tree. it is a stately deciduous tree, attaining heights of 30–60m; stem cylindrical, free of branches for up to 75% of its total height. It can achieve a diameter of over 200cm. The dried powdered leaves of Acrocarpus fraxinifolius was successively extracted with solvents of increasing polarities (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol) as well as the total ethanol extract of the powder was prepared. The petroleum ether extract was fractionated into unsaponifiable matter (USM) and fatty acids (FA). The FA fraction was methylated to give FAME fraction. GC/MS analysis of the USM revealed the identification of twenty five compounds represented 74.2% of the total USM, with phytol (43.73%) as the major compound followed by butylated hydroxy toluene (9.96%), n-hentriacontane (6.02%) and squalene (3.56%). Oxygenated compounds represented 59.8% of the total USM. GC/MS analysis of FAME fraction revealed the identification of twenty two compounds represented 85.49% of the total fraction, with methyl 9,12,15- octadecatrienoate (21.05%) as the major compound followed by methyl hexadecanoate (20.09%), methyl 9,12- octadecadienoate (19.98%) and methyl octadecanoate (8.96%). The unsaturated FA represented 41.61% of the total fraction. The acute anti-inflammatory effect of the total ethanol and successive extracts was evaluated by measuring the percentage of reduction of rat hind paw oedema induced by carrageenan [1] which revealed good effects exhibited by all extracts. Ethyl acetate extract was found to be the most potent (93.11% potency) in comparison with indomethacin (100% potency).

References: 1. Winter GA et al. (1962) Proc Soc Exp Biol Med III: 1544–1547