Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Combretum species are used throughout Africa for the relief of pain of different or-
igins, which implies that extracts may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Initial
studies indicated that some Combretum species have cyclooxygenase-inhibiting ac-
tivity and that the activity was stable. A similar stability in antibacterial activity was
observed earlier. We compared the anti-inflammatory activity and stability of 20
Combretum species growing under the same environmental conditions. All the ex-
tracts had anti-inflammatory activity with an average 65% inhibition of cyclooxyge-
nase activity. The inhibition was remarkably stable with no loss of activity after
storage for three months at room temperature (78% inhibition). There was a fair to
moderate correlation between total anti-inflammatory activity and total antibacteri-
al activity of the same taxa studied earlier. This suggests that similar compounds
may be responsible for the biological activity, especially since in both cases the bio-
activity is stable [23].
110 5 Plant Extracts Used to Manage Bacterial, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections in Southern Africa
Other Activities of Extracts of Combretum Species
Leaf extracts of 20 Combretum species, many of which are used in southern African
traditional medicine, were screened for anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antibil-
harzia (antischistosomal), and DNA-damaging activity. Significant activity in more
than one bioassay was exhibited by C. apiculatum, C. hereroense, C. molle, and C.
mossambicense. Ethyl acetate extracts were generally most active, followed by ace-
tone and then water extracts
Combretum species are used throughout Africa for the relief of pain of different or-
igins, which implies that extracts may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Initial
studies indicated that some Combretum species have cyclooxygenase-inhibiting ac-
tivity and that the activity was stable. A similar stability in antibacterial activity was
observed earlier. We compared the anti-inflammatory activity and stability of 20
Combretum species growing under the same environmental conditions. All the ex-
tracts had anti-inflammatory activity with an average 65% inhibition of cyclooxyge-
nase activity. The inhibition was remarkably stable with no loss of activity after
storage for three months at room temperature (78% inhibition). There was a fair to
moderate correlation between total anti-inflammatory activity and total antibacteri-
al activity of the same taxa studied earlier. This suggests that similar compounds
may be responsible for the biological activity, especially since in both cases the bio-
activity is stable [23].
110 5 Plant Extracts Used to Manage Bacterial, Fungal, and Parasitic Infections in Southern Africa
Other Activities of Extracts of Combretum Species
Leaf extracts of 20 Combretum species, many of which are used in southern African
traditional medicine, were screened for anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antibil-
harzia (antischistosomal), and DNA-damaging activity. Significant activity in more
than one bioassay was exhibited by C. apiculatum, C. hereroense, C. molle, and C.
mossambicense. Ethyl acetate extracts were generally most active, followed by ace-
tone and then water extracts
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