Evaluation of lipid profile and antioxidant activities of an herbal combination therapy on formalin-induced inflammation in albino rats

Herbal medicine are gaining popularity both in developing and developed countries because of their natural origin and less side effects, many traditional medicines in use are derived from medicinal plants, minerals and organic matter. Combination of Mangifera indica Stem-bark (MSB), Carica papaya (PL) and Eucalyptus (EU) leaf ethanol extracts were evaluated on formalin-induced inflammation in albino rats using standard procedures. Forty-five (45) rats were divided into nine (9) groups of five (5) rats each. Induction was by subcutaneous injection of 0.1ml (2.5% v/v in normal saline) formaldehyde solution (formalin) via the right hind paw of all groups except normal control, group seven (7), on 1st & 3rd day of experiment. Groups 1-3 were treated with 200mg/kg 200 mg/kg, 400mg/kg 400 mg/kg, and 600mg/kg 600 mg/kg combined ethanol extracts MSB+PL respectively. Groups 4-6 received 200 mg/kg, 400mg/kg 400 mg/kg, and 600mg/kg 600 mg/kg combined extracts of MSB+EU respectively. Group 8(Standard) received 5mg/kg piroxicam and group 9(negative control) received 5ml/kg normal saline for 10 days. There was significant reduction in the malondialdehyde (MDA), the levels of SOD and CAT increased significantly. There were significant changes/elevation in lipid profile. The study therefore justifies that the extracts could played a role in ameliorating the inflammatory process by mopping up the free radicals produced by the inflammation.