Researchers find another powerful antioxidant in kuru-kuru

A recent study suggests that Feretia apodanthera, a plant native to Nigeria – where it’s commonly known as kuru-kuru – could be used to prevent inflammation. The study, led by researchers from the Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, looked investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the plant to determine its efficacy.

• Researchers obtained an extract of F. apodanthera from its root bark, which yielded n-hexane, diethyl ether, ethanol, and aqueous extracts.
• The team then studied the phytochemical, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of each extract.
• The extracts were subjected to multiple chemical assays to determine its phytochemical properties.
• Antioxidant activity was measured using an in-vitro DPPH radical scavenging assay.
• The anti-inflammatory of the extracts was assessed using a carrageenan-induced paw edema model.
• To identify the chemicals present in each extract, the team conducted an FTIR and GCMS analysis.
• Researchers found the presence of unsaturated steroids, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponin, and alkaloids in the extracts.
• In terms of median inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), the ethanol extract of F. apodanthera posted a rate comparable to vitamin C.
• Results from anti-inflammatory assays revealed that the inflammation inhibition potential of the extracts was higher than that of the positive control (ketoprofen).

The team concluded that F. apodanthera contained both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Learn more about the benefits of the kuru-kuru plant at NaturalCures.news. today

Journal Reference:

Owolabi OO, James DB, Sani I, Andongma BT, Fasanya OO, Kure B. PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF FERETIA APODANTHERA ROOT BARK EXTRACTS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;18(12). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-2070-z