Background & Aim:Medical conditions associated with pains and inflammation are prevalent in the global population. The tubers of Chlorophytum alismifolium are widely used traditionally in Nigeria for the management of pain and inflammation. This study aims to establish the chemical profile and evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the hexane extract of C. alismifolium (HECA) tubers in experimental animals. Experimental: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were conducted according to standard protocols. Analgesic activity was investigated with graded doses of HECA (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg) using acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice and formalin-induced pain in rats; while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema model in rats. Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of eighteen compounds covering an area of approximately 100%. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes while the oral median lethal dose was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg in rats and mice. In the 4th and 5th hour of the carrageenan test, HECA at 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly (p <0.01) reduced the oedema index, respectively. In the analgesic study, HECA significantly (p <0.001) reduced the mean number of writhes with the highest inhibition (79.67%) obtained at 500 mg/kg. In the formalin test, HECA at 250 mg/kg significantly (p <0.05) reduced the mean pain scores in both phases of the test.Recommended applications/industries: The findings depict that HECA possesses pharmacologically active compounds that can be applied in the management of inflammation and pain. Manuscript profile

Background & Aim:Diabetes mellitus is an intricate metabolic disorder of the endocrine system associated with complications that result in morbidity and mortality. This study was carried out to establish the antihyperglycaemic profile and the effect of hexane extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium (HECA) on diabetic neuropathy in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. Experimental: C. alismifolium tubers were extracted with n-hexane using a soxhlet apparatus. The LD50 was determined using the OECD 425 guideline. The animals were served high fat diet for 6 weeks and then administered 40 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes. Experimental groups were set up using normal rats in group I and hyperglycaemic rats in 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group I and II were the normal and hyperglycaemic controls given distilled water (1 mL/kg); groups III, IV and V were given categorized doses of HECA (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) respectively. Group VI received pioglitazone (20 mg/kg). Fasting glycaemic level was evaluated and diabetic neuropathy was investigated using thermal and mechanical methods. Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids and triterpenes while the oral median toxic dose was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg. Administration of HECA at all doses evidently (p < 0.05) reduced the glycaemic level relative to the hyperglycaemic group and over time. Treatment with HECA also remarkably (p < 0.05) lowered the withdrawal times in both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesic methods of diabetic neuropathy compared to the hyperglycaemic control. Recommended applications/industries: The findings revealed that the hexane extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium has beneficial effects and can be applied in the management of diabetes and some of its complications. Manuscript profile