SUBSTANTIATING THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFICACY OF Rhaphiostylis beninensis ROOT EXTRACT

There are many chronic diseases that are associated with inflammation across the world today. Remarkably, this represents therapeutic targets. To this extent, synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs have been employed as a panacea for such illnesses. Regrettably, their use in several situations has been linked to unwanted side effects, which have warranted the need to find appropriate substitutes through natural plant resources. Additionally, the pharmacology of most of the plants, such as Rhaphiostylis beninensis, is yet to be fully unravelled. Based on this, the methanol root extract of Rhaphiostylis beninensis (MRERB) was subjected to an in vitro-based assay to evaluate its ability to inhibit membrane stabilisation (haemolysis inhibition) and protein denaturation. This was achieved by employing concentrations of 100-500 mg/mL of the plant extracts against indomethacin as the reference drug. Haemolysis of red blood cells in hypotonic solution was evaluated as the mechanism of haemolysis inhibition, while the protein denaturation was performed through the use of heat. Notable differences (p≤0.05) were found in the inhibition of haemolysis and protein denaturation by MRERB in a concentration-dependent manner. Nevertheless, haemolyis inhibition by MRERB and indomethacin was found to be equivalent at 300 mg/mL (p≤0.05). Consequently, the outcomes indicate anti-inflammatory phytoconstituent and pharmacological properties of R. beninensis, thereby augmenting and substantiating available literature on the utilisation of the plant as an anti-inflammatory product source.