The stem and root bark of Anthostema aubryanum (Baill, family, Euphorbiaceae) are extensively used in African ethnomedicine for treating and managing a number of disease conditions which include inflammation, wounds, boil, dyspepsia and a variety of other disease conditions. Although the chemistry and pharmacology of many phytoconstituents isolated from the family are fairly established, the plant has not yet been investigated. In the present study, the crude aqueous-alcohol extract of the root bark was demonstrated to display a time- and dose (30- 300 mg/Kg p.o.)- dependent anti-inflammatory effect in rats. The extract showed a good anti-inflammatory activity (ED50 = 5.294±0.020 mg/Kg BDW) compared to diclofenac (ED50=1.994±0.001). The root bark also showed a high total phenolic content (74.53±0.004) vitamin E equivalent (VEE)/g) and free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 8.841 μg/ml) compared to the standard vitamin E (8.605±0.01). The observed activities may be attributed to the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins, anthraquinones, fatty acids, reducing sugars and tannins found in the phytochemicals screening of the plant. The present study for the first time has established the scientific basis for the traditional uses of A. aubryanum for treating inflammation, edema, boil and wounds.
