Phytochemistry and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ethanolic Root Bark Extract of Vepris Nobilis Mziray (Rutaceae Family)

Abstract

Root bark powder of Vepris nobilis Mziray (family Rutaceae) collected from Mukura Sub-county, Ngora District, Eastern Uganda, about 300 km from the Capital City Kampala was extracted with 70% ethanol. Phytochemical analyses was carried out as well as in vivo anti inflammatory animal tests. The GC–MS analysis identified 37 compounds in the extract including fatty acids (45.08%), sesquiterpenes (40.38%), furaquinoline alkaloids (10.93%), a phenylpropanoid (2.37%) and a triterpenoid (1.31%). Interestingly, it revealed that at 400 and 600 mg of extract / kg of body weight, formalin induced paw oedema in mice was inhibited much better than by 25 mg of Diclofenac sodium /kg body weight. It was concluded that ethanolic root bark extract of V. nobilis has important phytochemicals that need to be evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity as potential lead compounds for anti-inflammatory drug development.