Background: Inflammatory diseases represent a major global health burden, and the search for novel, effective, and safe anti-inflammatory agents from natural sources remains a critical area of research. Lablab purpureus, a plant traditionally used in folk medicine, is a promising candidate due to its reported pharmacological properties. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of the methanolic extract of L. purpureus leaves.
Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of the L. purpureus methanolic leaf extract was evaluated in Wistar albino rats using two established in vivo models: the carrageenan-induced paw edema model for acute inflammation and the formalin-induced paw edema model for chronic inflammation. Doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of the extract were administered orally to the experimental groups, while control groups received a standard anti-inflammatory drug (Indomethacin) or a vehicle. The anti-inflammatory effect was determined by measuring changes in paw volume at specific time intervals.
Results: The results demonstrated that the methanolic leaf extract of L. purpureus exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner. In the carrageenan-induced model, the extract significantly reduced paw edema compared to the control group, with efficacy comparable to the standard drug. Similarly, in the formalin-induced model, the extract showed a marked reduction in paw swelling, indicating its potential to manage both acute and chronic inflammatory responses.
Conclusion: This study confirms the significant anti-inflammatory activity of Lablab purpureus leaf extract in Wistar albino rats. The findings suggest that the plant possesses therapeutic value and could serve as a potential source for developing new anti-inflammatory agents. Further research is warranted to isolate and characterize the specific bioactive compounds responsible for this observed activity.
