ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory and diuretic activities of ethanolic extracts of leaves of Smilax anceps. Twenty (20) adults rats were used for this study. They were allowed to acclimatize to the environment for two weeks. The extracts were administered to the rats at doses of 125, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000mg/kg body weight. This was done intra-peritoneal during diuresis an orally during anti-inflammation. For inflammation, aspirin was used as positive control and normal saline for negative control. Four standard drugs (Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Spironolactone and Acetazolamide) were employed for diuretic activity and normal saline as control. The extracts produced a significant effect on the rats as compared to Aspirin during inflammation. The diuretic effects were evaluated by measuring urine volume. The plant extracts produced a significant effect on urine volume. Higher volumes were observed at 250 and 500mg/kg (1.10±0.14 and 0.80±0.57) respectively. The results obtained showed that the ethanolic leaf extracts of Smilax anceps has potential anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. It could be suggested that it can be used in the treatment of inflammation and diuretic problems.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page i

Declaration ii

Certification iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of content vi

List of tables vii

List of figures viii

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Botany of the plant 4

1.2 Other activities of Smilax anceps 5

1.3 Aims and objectives 5

1.4 Objectives 6

1.5 Justification 6

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 Literature review 7

2.1 Anti-inflammatory activity of plants 7

2.2 Diuretic activity of plants 8

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Materials and methods 10

3.1 Plant collection 10

3.2 Preparation of plant extract 10

3.3 Animal stock 10

3.4 Diuretic activity 10

3.5 Anti-inflammatory activity 10

3.6 Statistical analysis 10

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Results 13

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion, conclusion and recommendation 16

5.1 Discussion 16

5.1 Conclusion 17

5.2 Recommendations 17

REFERENCES

APPENDIX