Evaluation of the modulatory effects of Piper guineense leaves and seeds on egg albumin-induced inflammation in experimental rat models.

Inflammation processes are implicated in many degenerative diseases. Piper guineense, a West African spice belonging to the Piperaceae family has been reported to contain anti-inflammatory agents.This study determined the modulatory effects of methanolic extracts of Piper guineense leaves and seeds on egg albumin-induced inflammation in rats.Inflammation in the hind paw was induced by injecting 0.1ml egg albumin subcutaneously. Treatments including diclofenac were given orally. Rectal temperature and paw size were monitored hourly for the first 3 h' post-induction of inflammation and then at the 6th and 24th hour. Serum levels of CRP, MDA, LDH and GGT activities were determined at these hours.Results showed that egg albumin-induced inflammation caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in paw size and rectal temperature. It further showed that treatment with the leaves and seed extracts reversed the effect of inflammation on serum levels of CRP and MDA, and on LDH and GGT activities similar to diclofenac in rats.Extracts of the Piper guineense seed and leaves have potentials of being used as an anti-inflammatory agent but further studies need to be done to determine their toxicity and effects on immunological markers of inflammation.