Volume 2 - Issue 3, May - June 2026

Nauclea latifolia Smith (Rubiaceae), commonly known as the African peach or African pincushion tree, is widely used in sub-Saharan African traditional medicine for treating fever, malaria, pain, and inflammatory disorders. However, comprehensive phytochemical profiling and validated in vitro anti-inflammatory evaluation of its root bark extracts using different solvent systems remain limited. This study investigated the phytochemical constituents and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol, n-hexane, and aqueous root bark extracts of N. latifolia using albumin denaturation inhibition and human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilisation assays. Root bark samples were collected, authenticated, air-dried, and sequentially extracted by cold maceration with ethanol, n-hexane, and distilled water. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses were conducted using standard methods. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using albumin denaturation inhibition and hypotonic solution-induced HRBC membrane stabilisation assays, with diclofenac sodium and aspirin serving as reference standards. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, phenolics, glycosides, and anthraquinones, with variations among extracts. The ethanol extract exhibited the highest phytochemical content, including total phenolics (19.69 mgGAE/g), flavonoids (46.84 mgQE/g), alkaloids (8.76 mg/g), tannins (7.25 mgTAE/g), and saponins (4.53 mg/g). All extracts demonstrated concentrationdependent anti-inflammatory activity. The aqueous extract produced the highest albumin denaturation inhibition (85.1% at 2000 µg/mL), while the ethanol extract showed the strongest membrane stabilisation effect, both approaching the efficacy of standard drugs. These findings validate the traditional use of N. latifolia in managing inflammatory conditions and identify ethanol as the most effective extraction solvent. Further in vivo studies and bioactivity-guided isolation of active compounds are recommended.

Suleiman Abdul Rafiu, Ikhenemue O. Oseni,"Phytochemical and Anti-Inflammatory Activity Studies of Root Bark Extract of Nauclea latifolia" International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Educational Development, V2(3): Page(1087-1095) May-June 2026. ISSN: 3107-6513. www.ijamred.com. Published by Scientific and Academic Research Publishing.