Antiinflammatory and Antimicrobial Activities of Mitracarpus scaber Extracts

Abstract

Preliminary investigations were carried out on leaf extracts of Mitracarpus scaber with the goal of establishing its acclaimed potency as an antiinflammatory and antimicrobial agent. Petroleum-ether and methanol extracts were studied. In rats, the extracts progressively reduced fresh egg albuminin-induced edema of the hind paw. There was a dose-related and sustained inhibition of increase in paw circumference caused by subplantar injection of the phlogistic agent. The petroleum ether extract showed a more pronounced effect. In vitro, the extracts caused marked inhibition against some strains of laboratory microorganisms, the order of sensitivity being Pseudomonas aeruginosa> Kleb-sialla pneumoniao>Staphylococcus aureus> Escherichia coli. The extracts also inhibited the growth of Candida albicans. These results help to explain the rationale for the folkloric use of the plant in treating inflammatory disorders and microbial infections.