Investigation of the anti-inflammatory properties of leaves of Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The leaves of the breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) are used in folklore medicine in the Caribbean to relieve pain and inflammmation. Our objective was to determine whether there is any scientific basis to this folkloric claim. METHODS: An aqueous decoction of breadfruit leaves (BL) was prepared, and tested for anti-inflammatory activity using the "carrageenan induced rat paw oedema" method. Groups of rats were given doses of BL (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg) and saline (control). Additional experiments were done on isolated guinea pig trachea challenged with acetylcholine (Ach), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), bradykinin and histamine to investigate the mechanism of action of BL. RESULTS: BL at a dose of 60 mg/kg exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity (p<0.05) from 0.5 to 4 hours. Lower doses of BL (15 and 30 mg/kg) did not produce any significantly different effects from control (p>0.05). BL antagonized the actions of PGE2 and bradykinin on the trachea but not that of Ach or histamine. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggests that an extract of the breadfruit leaves contains one or more compounds with significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, further studies are required to isolate these compounds and to determine their pharmacological profile. (AU)