Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Leaves, Wood, Stem and Root Barks Extracts of Croton Megalocarpus (Hutch)
| dc.contributor.author | Kiarie Peter Kanoga | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-03-07T06:32:19Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-03-07T06:32:19Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-11 | |
| dc.description | A Research Thesis Submitted in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences in Partial Fulfilment for the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Masters of Science (Biotechnology) of Kenyatta University November, 2024 Supervisor: 1.John K Mwonjoria 2.Joseph Ngeranwa | |
| dc.description.abstract | The use of herbal medications has risen as a remedy for various ailments as they are low cost and are readily available to a high number of people across the world living below the poverty line. Croton megalocarpus has been used by some communities to manage ailments like malaria, stomachache, pneumonia, and wound clotting. The Current study blended leaves, stems and root bark extracts. This study aimed to determine the plant parts responsible for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects among leaves, wood, stem and root barks of C. megalocarpus in mice. The samples were collected, ground to powder, and then extracted using methanol. White albino young mice were in eight clusters of 5 mice each for each set of experiments. These groups were standard control, negative control, positive control and five experimental groups. These experimental groups were in five sets: I, II, III, IV and V. Set I to V animals were treated with leaves, stem bark, root bark, woody part of stem and root methanolic extracts of C. megalocarpus, respectively. The experimental groups received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw extract doses. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated by means of a formalin test, while an anti-inflammatory assay was undertaken using formalin-induced paw oedema. The formalin was infused through subcutaneous injection of the sub-plantar region of the hind paw. The qualitative analysis was undertaken to identify the secondary metabolites in all C. megalocarpus extracts. Chronic toxicity was conducted using mice administered with high doses of the extracts for 30 days. The blood was collected for biochemical and haematological tests. Tissues were harvested, and their weights were taken. The data collected was expressed as means and SEM. It was then analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Scheffes post hoc tests. All extracts of the various plant parts showed significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the period spent in pain behaviour. In this study, extracts from various parts of the plant demonstrated substantial inflammation reduction (p < 0.05) in mice except for the woody part of the root. Studies has shown that various parts of C. megalocarpus have medicinal values, and the plant parts have antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Methanolic extracts of C, megalocarpus, contain toxic properties and phytochemicals. Therefore, there is a great need to look at ways the secondary metabolites may be harnessed to develop novel drugs of medicinal value. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29725 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Leaves, Wood, Stem and Root Barks Extracts of Croton Megalocarpus (Hutch) | |
| dc.type | Thesis |