PHYTOCHEMICAL SREENING, ANTI-INFLAMATORY AND ANALGESIC ANALYSIS OF UPACA STAUDTIL LEAVES
PHYTOCHEMICAL SREENING, ANTI-INFLAMATORY AND ANALGESIC ANALYSIS OF UPACA STAUDTIL LEAVES
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds found in plants that have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential therapeutic properties. These compounds, which include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids, are known to exhibit various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Upaca staudtii, commonly known as African cherry, is a plant species found in West and Central Africa, known for its traditional medicinal uses. The leaves of Upaca staudtii have been reported to possess several pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents of Upaca staudtii leaves and evaluate their anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential.
Phytochemical screening is a crucial step in the exploration of plant-derived compounds for medicinal purposes. It involves the identification and quantification of various secondary metabolites present in plants. The presence of specific phytochemicals in plants can provide insights into their potential pharmacological activities. Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing compounds known for their diverse biological activities, including analgesic effects. Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Tannins, another group of polyphenols, have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Saponins are glycosides that have exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in various studies. Phenolic compounds and terpenoids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts is of great interest due to the increasing prevalence of inflammatory diseases. Inflammation is a complex physiological response that plays a crucial role in the body's defense mechanism against various harmful stimuli. However, excessive or prolonged inflammation can lead to chronic inflammatory diseases