Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Diuretic Effets of Aqueous Sarcocephalus latifolius(sm.) E.A.Bruce Root Extract in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic activities of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius roots, a medicinal plant widely used in the traditional West African pharmacopoeia. The extract demonstrated strong antioxidant potential through multiple assays: DPPH (IC₅₀ = 0.15 ± 0.11 mg/mL), FRAP (44.31 ± 1.88 µg AAE/g), ABTS (0.54 ± 0.22 mol TE/g, 81.34 ± 1.31% inhibition), and APM (7.18 ± 0.55 mMol AAE/g). These results suggest a high radical scavenging capacity, potentially protective against oxidative stress-related diseases. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by inhibition of heat-induced ovalbumin denaturation. The extract showed a significantly lower IC₅₀ (0.94 mg/mL) than diclofenac (5.2 mg/mL), a reference NSAID (p < 0.05), indicating strong anti-inflammatory properties. For diuretic evaluation, rats treated with 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of the extract showed a dose-dependent increase in urine output and significant enhancement of Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, and Ca²⁺ excretion compared to controls (p < 0.05). Unlike furosemide, the extract induced a slower but prolonged diuretic effect, without significant alterations in serum creatinine or urea levels, indicating a favorable short-term safety profile. Overall, these findings validate the traditional use of Sarcocephalus latifolius in the treatment of inflammatory, renal, and metabolic disorders. The extract shows promise as a source of bioactive molecules for phytotherapeutic development. However, further studies are required to isolate and characterize the active compounds and to confirm the pharmacological mechanisms through advanced in vivo and clinical investigations.