HPLC Analysis and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Methanol Extract of the Leaves of Triumfetta cordifolia A. Rich. (Malvaceae) Available in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Triumfetta cordifolia is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, however, the aqueous methanol extract of T. cordifolia leaves have not been explored scientifically to confirm this ethno-medicinal claim using animal model. In this study, aqueous methanol extract of T. cordifolia leaves was tested for its anti- inflammatory properties and the profiling of flavonoid components using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy was performed utilizing a rat model of formalin-induced paw edema. The extract's anti-inflammatory effectiveness against formalin-induced paw edema revealed notable anti-inflammatory effects. The percentage inhibition of the extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg with 10.69% inhibition was comparable to the standard drug aspirin with 10.69% inhibition while the dose of 100 and 250 mg/kg has higher percentage inhibition (13.58%) in comparison with the standard drug aspirin (10.69%) at same time interval all in the curative measure. The major flavonoid compounds from the HPLC analysis include kaempferol, quercitrin, (+) - catechin, luteolin, quercetin, myricetin, hesperidin, narigin, apigenin and rutin. Thus, it can be suggested that the high content of flavonoids may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory activities exhibited by the methanol extract of T. cordifolia. Therefore, the results obtained in this study shows that the methanol leaf extract of T. cordifloia possess potent anti-inflammatory activity in acute inflammation.