In vitro Evaluation of Membrane Stabilizing Potential of Selected Bryophyte Species

Aims: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory properties of the three bryophytes species: Archidium ohioense, Bryum coronatum and Racophilum africanum with a view to utilizing the extracts of the plant s in the treatment of inflammatory related ailments.

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out in IIe-Ife, Osun-State, Nigeria between May 2012 and March 2013.

Methodology: The study adopted membrane stabilizing technique of red blood cells exposed to both heat and hypotonic induced lyses with varying concentrations of the extracts (chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate and ethanolic) of the plants.

Results: The results of the membrane stabilizing activity assay showed that acetone extracts contained principles that protected red blood cells effectively against heat and hypotonic induced lyses. A. ohioense extracts protected red blood cells at all concentrations used while B. coronatum protected better at lower concentrations. However, R. africanum extracts (with the exception of the acetone extract) promoted lysis of red blood cells at lower concentrations.

Conclusion: The study showed that the anti-inflammatory activities of the extracts of A. ohioense, B. coronatum and R. africanum were concentration dependent and comparable to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

This study indicates the possibility of generating an alternative source of novel anti- inflammatory compounds from the studied bryophytes, which might overcome the ever expensive synthetic drugs with long term side effects.