Antiinflammatory properties of the stem-bark of Anopyxis klaineana and its major constituent, methyl angolensate.

Anopyxis klaineana (Pierre) Engl. (Rhizophoraceae) is one of the reputed West African folkloric medicines that has never been investigated for its pharmacological effects or phytochemical constituents. In the present study, the antiinflammatory properties of the stem-bark extracts were evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in chicks. The petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts all showed a time and dose-dependent antiinflammatory effect over the 5-h observation period. Phytochemical analysis of the most active extract (methanol extract) yielded the principal constituent that was identified as methyl angolensate through extensive spectroscopic and X-ray analysis studies. Although slightly less potent (ED50 , 4.05 ± 0.0034 mg/kg, orally) than the positive control, diclofenac (ED50 , 2.49 ± 0.023, intraperitoneally n = 5), this first ever compound isolated from A. klaineana showed promising antiinflammatory activity that may account to some of the reported medicinal uses of the plant.