July 2013 Vol. 1 No. 5

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Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical screening and anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Nephrolepis biserrata leaf on albino wistar mice

*¹Ekong N. J., ¹Zakari B. G., ²Ibok N. I. and ²Okon J. E.

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
²Department of Botany and Ecological Studies University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: joesplendid@yahoo.com

Accepted June 25, 2013

Abstract

Phytochemical screening of Nephrolepis biserrata was carried out in the laboratory in order to prove the efficacy of its use by traditional medicine practitioners to treat inflammation. Inflammation was induced using xylene and egg white albumen methods and distilled water as control. Extract preparation of Nephrolepis biserrata was given to mice at 100 mg/kg at one hour interval for six hours. The result of LD50 value of Nephrolepis biserrata was calculated to be 3741.66 mg/kg. Results of the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of abundant tannins, saponnins, cardiac glycosides, moderate flavonoids, terpenes, phlobatannins and anthraquinones. Results of inflammation showed that there was reduction in inflammation level during treatment in ethanolic extract. These results support the traditional use of this leaf in some painful and inflammation conditions.

Keywords: Nephrolepis biserrata, phytochemical screening, inflammatory, extract.