African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (16), pp. 1913-1915, 20 August 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Short Communication

Anti-inflammatory studies of yam (Dioscorea esculenta) extract on wistar rats

J. O. Olayemi and E. O. Ajaiyeoba*

Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: edajaiye@yahoo.com. 

Accepted 4 July, 2007

The defatted methanol extract of Dioscorea esculenta tuber was evaluated for anti-inflammatory properties in animal model using Wistar rats. The study was done using the cotton thread method in measuring the right hind paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in rats. The extract was tested at doses between 100 – 200 mg/kg body weight of rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of saponins, disgenin, β-sistosterol, stigmasterol, cardiac glycosides, fat and starch. The extract exhibited significant inhibition of the carrageenan-induced oedema that was dose-dependent with a good initial effect in 1 h and 2 h at doses of 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, respectively. The observed activity was comparable to that of 150 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid that was used as a reference drug in the study. D. esculenta tuber methanol extract supports the folkloric use for management of inflammation. 

Key words: Dioscorea esculenta, Wistar rats, anti-inflammatory activity