Ethanol Extract of Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) Leaves Ameliorates Allergic Airway Inflammatory Responses in Wistar Rats
Aliyu I.M. Ibrahim Z.Y.Y. Tahir A. Yunusa S. Abubakar B. Abdulkarim A.A. Hassan F.I. Falissou M.S. Mohammed M.
3 March 2026Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin
Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research
2026#10Issue 27323 - 7328 pp.
Jatropha curcas (J. curcas), a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is a tropical medicinal plant that has been used in African Traditional Medicine for the treatment of asthma and related allergic airway diseases. This study investigated the ameliorative effects of Jatropha curcas leaf extract on ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation in Wistar rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out using standard procedures, and oral median lethal dose (LD50) was determined using Lorke’s method. Allergic airway inflammation was induced in Wistar rats via ovalbumin sensitization and challenge over 28 days. Rats were divided into six groups: normal control, ovalbumin control, three groups treated with J. curcas extract at 35, 70, and 140 mg/kg, and a positive control receiving prednisolone (10 mg/kg). Post-treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed for leukocytes and cytokines, and lung tissues were examined histologically. Phytochemical analysis identified flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, glycosides, steroids, and anthraquinones. Acute oral toxicity test revealed an LD50 exceeding 5000 mg/kg, indicating that the extract is relatively safe. Anti-inflammatory activity evaluation showed that J. curcas at 140 mg/kg dose significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced eosinophil counts and IL-13 levels, which was comparable to that of prednisolone group. the extract also showed a dose-dependent reduction in IL-4 and IL-5 levels. Histopathological examination revealed protection against alveolar necrosis and tracheal hyperplasia at higher doses. Overall, the extract demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory and airway-protective effects, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapy for allergic airway diseases. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm these findings.
Allergic Airway Inflammation , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid , Cytokines , Eosinophilia , Jatropha curcas , Phytochemicals
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Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi state, Nigeria
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Nazarbayev University School of Medicine, Astana, Kazakhstan
Faculté des Sciences de la Santé, Université Dan Dicko Dankoulodo de Maradi, Niger
Biomedical Research Center, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Department of Pharmacognosy and Ethnopharmacy
Department of Pharmacology
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Nazarbayev University School of Medicine
Faculté des Sciences de la Santé
Biomedical Research Center
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