Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Methanol and Aqueous Crude Extracts of Apical leaves of Sida cuneifolia: An Ethnomedicinal Plant

Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare the yield, phytochemical compositions, and anti-inflammatory properties of methanol and aqueous crude extracts derived from the Apical leaves of Sida cuneifolia.

Study Design: An analytical study design was employed to evaluate yield and phytochemical composition, while an experimental study design was utilized for anti-inflammatory evaluation studies.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, specifically in the Department of Pharmacy Laboratory, spanning from August 2022 to September 2023.

Methodology: The extraction yields were determined, and phytochemical profiling conducted to establish the composition of the extracts. Acute dermal toxicity was assessed to determine s. cuneifolia ointment toxicity level using OECD guidelines No. 402. Anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated using the HRBC membrane stabilization model and carrageenan-induced paw inflammatory model in-vitro and in-vivo, respectively.

Results: The aqueous extract exhibited a higher percentage yield (10.1%) compared to the methanol extract (4.7%). The methanol extract contained alkaloids, phenolic compounds, steroids, tannins, and cardiac glycosides, while alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were absent in the aqueous extract.

Methanol and aqueous extracts, at different concentrations of (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg/mL), showed dose-dependent significant stabilization towards HRBC membranes of (54.6%, 59.9%, 66.5%), and (3.85%, 12.57%, 17.10%), respectively. The percentage of protection for the concentration of the methanol extract at 2.0 mg/mL was the highest (66.5%) among the extract dose levels but lower than that of the standard (76.66%).

Sida cuneifolia ointment dose levels of (0.5%, 2.5%, and 5.0%) w/w demonstrated significant (P=0.05) reductions in mice paw volume, with percentage inhibitions of (86.33%, 91.4%, and 91.4%). Dose levels (2.5% and 5%) w/w exhibited more potent activity of (91.4%) compared to that of the reference standard, Diclofenac gel 0.1% w/w. (79.41%). Both dose levels of extract ointments (2.5% and 5.0%) w/w exhibited identical levels of percentage inhibition (91.3%) at the end of 4 hours.

Conclusion: This study provides scientific evidence supporting the ethno-medicinal use of Apical leaves of Sida cuneifolia, suggesting its potential transformative development in ethnomedicine.