European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aims: Considering the lack of scientific studies focused on the pharmacological activity of Cordia millenii essential oil, this work was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of essential oil from the root bark.

Study Design: The design of the study include collection of root bark of Cordia millenii, hydrodistillation of essential oil from the plant and evaluation of its anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive potentials.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Lagos State University, Nigeria between May 2017 and April 2018.

Methodology: The root bark of C. millenii were collected from Ayetoro, Ilesha (7°37¢0N 4°43¢0E), Osun State, Nigeria in June 2017. Essential oils were obtained from the air-dry sample by hydrodistillation procedure in an all glass Clevenger-apparatus. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The anti-nociceptive action was established from the hot-plate analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (version 7.02).

Results: The anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil was statistically significant (p < 0.001) at 1^st and 3^rd h for the 100 mg/kg p.o., at 1^st-3^rd h for the 200/kg mg p.o. and at 3^rd and 4^th h for the 400 mg/kg p.o. In addition, the 100 mg/kg p.o. showed significant activity (p < 0.01) at 2^nd h. Also, the anti-inflammatory activity was significant (p < 0.05) for 100 mg/kg p.o. (4^th h), 200 mg/kg p.o. (4^th h) and 400 mg/kg p.o (1^st h). The essential oil of C. millenii displayed high activity (p <0.001) for all doses in the hot plate anti-nociceptive assay which was time and dose independent.

Conclusion: Results demonstrate that the essential oil of C. millenii was effective in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, thereby supporting the traditional use of this herb.