article · Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy
Vernonia amygdalina, commonly known as bitter leaf, has long been used in traditional medicine to address pain, fever, and inflammation. This research examined and contrasted the medicinal effectiveness of ethanol extracts from both young and old leaves of the plant in laboratory rat models. While older leaves contained higher quantities of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolics, extracts from young leaves possessed greater saponin concentrations and higher overall antioxidant capacity. When tested against standard pharmaceutical drugs including diclofenac and aspirin, both leaf extracts showed dose-dependent reductions in inflammation, pyrexia, and pain responses. Microscopic examination of tissue samples revealed that the extracts reduced mast cell degranulation, blood vessel dilation, and leukocytosis. Both leaf types appeared to alleviate pain via opioidergic and nitric oxide pathways, with young leaves also involving the muscarinic cholinergic system. Ultimately, young leaves exhibited superior overall therapeutic potency compared to older foliage.
Pain, fever, and inflammatory conditions are widely treated with synthetic drugs that can have side effects. Evaluating medicinal plants validates traditional practices and uncovers the distinct biochemical profiles present across different growth stages of the same plant. Demonstrating that young bitter leaf foliage provides superior therapeutic activity helps guide more effective harvesting practices for herbal remedies and targets future natural product development.
This early-stage preclinical research suggests potential value for phytopharmaceutical developers and nutraceutical manufacturers seeking natural alternatives for pain and fever management. Therapeutic formulations would benefit from sourcing young leaves rather than mature foliage to maximise active efficacy. However, the findings remain at the stage of animal testing and laboratory assays, meaning considerable toxicological screening, formulation standardisation, and clinical trials are required before commercial products can be realised.
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BACKGROUND: Both young and old leaves of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) are traditionally used to treat inflammation, pain and fever. However, the efficacy of young and old leaves for treating these ailments have not been compared till date. AIM: To ascertain the effect of young and old leaves of VA in managing inflammation, pain and fever. METHODS: Both quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening of ethanol extracts of young (EthYL) and old (EthOL) leaves of VA were performed. The anti-inflammatory activity of orally administered EthYL and EthOL (50-200 mg/kg) and Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) were evaluated in carrageenan-induced inflammation model in rats. Antipyretic activity of EthYL, EthOL and Aspirin (25 mg/kg) were assessed in the Baker's yeast-induced pyrexia model. Anti-allodynic effect of both extracts were evaluated by inserting inflamed paws of rats in cold water. Antinociceptive property of the extracts were assessed using tail withdrawal and formalin-induced nociception test. Histopathological examination of the paws was performed, in addition to formalin test to understand the possible mechanism of action of the extracts. Negative control rats received 2 ml/kg normal saline in all tests. RESULTS: The amount of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and phenolics were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in EthOL than EthYL, while saponins were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in EthYL than EthOL. The antioxidant ability and total antioxidant capacity were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in EthYL than EthOL. However, this was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the anti-oxidant activity of Ascorbic acid. A dose-dependent increase in anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and antinociceptive properties were observed in both EthYL and EthOL, similar to the standard drugs. Mast cell degranulation accompanied by vasodilatation and high leukocytosis were observed in the negative control, but were markedly low in extract treated groups. Both extracts mediated their analgesic effect through opioidergic and nitric oxide pathways with EthYL additionally implicating the muscarinic cholinergic system. CONCLUSION: Although both EthYL and EthOL alleviate inflammation, pyrexia and nociception, EthYL of VA was found to be more potent than EthOL.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.12.147
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