Evaluation of the Potential Anti-inflammatory Activity of Sonneratia alba EthanolicSeed Extract in a Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema Mouse Model

Sonneratia alba, locally known as “pagatpat,” has been traditionally used in Filipinofolk medicine to relieve inflammation, muscle pain, and sprains. This study explored theanti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic seed extract of S. alba using acarrageenan-induced paw edema model in Swiss albino mice. Carrageenan was used toinduce inflammation due to its ability to activate pro-inflammatory cytokines. The plant seedwas collected, cleaned, air-dried, then powderized using blender (Ninja Foodi SS201 PowerBlender and Processor), sifted using a metal mesh sieve no.120 to achieve the particle size125µm and was macerated using 95% Ethanol in a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask. Test groupsreceived varying concentrations of the extract: (low, mid, and high) oral gavage, diclofenacsodium through oral route (positive control group), and NSS through oral administration(negative control group). Inflammation was induced through sub-plantar injection ofcarrageenan into the right hind paw, and paw swelling was measured using digital verniercaliper with the intervals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 hours) to assess edema progression.The 95% ethanolic seed extract of S.alba demonstrated a time-dependentanti-inflammatory effect in the acute paw edema model. Among the tested doses, the middose exhibited the greatest efficacy, producing the highest reduction in edema nearlycomparable to Diclofenac sodium. The Post Hoc Tuckey HSD test showed a significantdifference between the extract treated dose groups and the negative control (P=0.0031)starting at the second hour and continuing during the later observation periods, furthersupporting the anti-inflammatory potential of the extract. In one way ANOVA theanti-inflammatory activity of the seed extract becomes statistically significant at the secondhour (f = 17.45248 and p< 0.0001) which continues to be significant in succeeding hours.Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive constituents such as alkaloids,terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, saponins, and tannins, which may contribute to itsanti-inflammatory activity. Acute toxicity testing showed that the extract was toxic at5000mg/kg or higher, identified as the lethal dose. Overall, the findings support the potentialof S.alba as a natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds and a possible alternative tosynthetic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These results provide a basis forfuture preclinical studies and possible pharmaceutical development of S.alba derivedcompounds while emphasizing the importance of proper dose evaluation.