ABSTRACT

Citrus maxima (shaddock) is a medicinal plant used in Asia, and in some parts of Africa, because they are rich in flavonoids and some other phytoconstituent which contributed to their wide range of biological activities ranging from anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity and anti tumor activity. Inflammation is the biochemical and cellular response that occurs in all vascularized tissues whose health is threatened either by internal or external source such as pathogens, damaged cells or irritants. Inflammation is a major public health problem in the world but the treatment is becoming complex due to the side effect of anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs. This research work investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of methanol extract of the leaves of citrus maxima (shaddock) in egg-albumin induced rat paw edema. Anti-inflammatory was carried out using twelve (12) rats that were divided into four groups of three rats each in a group. Group 1 and 4 were served as the negative and positive control respectively. Group 2 and 3 received 200mg/kg and 500mg/kg of the extract respectively. However it was discovered that the leaves of citrus maxima showed moderate significant of anti-inflammatory activity more than the standard drug used (ibuprofen).