The Ability of a Methylated Extract of Hibiscus plantifolius to Reduce Inflammation

Background: Inflammation, a complex reaction to injurious agents such as microbes, usually necrotic cells consisting of vascular response, leads to accumulation of fluids, migration, and activation of leukocytes and systemic reactions. Inflammation is fundamentally a protective response, the ultimate goal of which is to rid the organism of both the initial causes of cell injury such as microbes and toxins and the consequence of injuries such as necrotic cells and tissue.

Objective: The goal of this study was to find out if a methanolic extract of Hibiscus plantifolius (MEHP), a plant in the Malvaceae family, could reduce inflammation.

Methods: One kilogram of the shade-dried stem portion of H. plantifolius was ground into a powder and soxhleted with methanol. In order to produce crude methanol extract, which was then used for additional research, the extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator at 40°C and reduced pressure until it was solvent-free. Carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats at dose levels of 50, 150, and 300 mg/kg was used to study the anti-inflammatory impact. Research on acute oral toxicity was also conducted.

Results: The findings show that the increase in paw edema at the fourth hour was significantly (p<0.001) inhibited by MEHP, 300 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The experimental study's findings demonstrated that MEHP had strong anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds which were present in MEHP exhibited antioxidant activity.