ANTIGOUT AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BARK AND LEAVES OF OUGEINIA OOJEINENSIS

Ougeinia oojeinensis is traditionally used for inflammatory disorders, but its antigout potential is not well established. The present study evaluated the in-vitro antigout and anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of bark and leaves of O. oojeinensis. Extracts were subjected to phytochemical screening and assessed for xanthine oxidase inhibition, inhibition of protein denaturation, monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced protein denaturation, heat-induced hemolysis, and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization assays, using allopurinol and diclofenac sodium as standards. Ethanolic extracts, particularly from leaves, showed higher extractive yield and richer phytochemical content. All extracts exhibited concentration-dependent activity, with the ethanolic leaf extract showing the strongest xanthine oxidase inhibition and superior anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing effects, comparable to standard drugs. The study provides scientific support for the traditional use of O. oojeinensis in gout and inflammation, highlighting ethanolic leaf extract as a promising natural antigout and anti-inflammatory agent warranting further investigation. Keywords: Ougeinia Oojeinensis; Gout; Anti-Inflammatory; Xanthine Oxidase; MSU Crystals; Medicinal Plants