{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\nouicompat\deflang2057{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil Times New Roman;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset1 Cambria Math;}} {\*\generator Riched20 6.2.9200}{\*\mmathPr\mmathFont2\mwrapIndent1440 }\viewkind4\uc1 \pard\sa200\sl276\slmult1\f0\fs22\lang9\par Anti-Inflammatory and Hepatoprotective\par Effects of the Homogenate of Cucumis Sativus\par (Cucumber) Fruits\par \par Agatemor, Mark-Maria Uzuazokaro\par \par Research on inflammation has become the focus of global scientific study because of its\par implication in virtually all human and animal diseases. Also, liver diseases have been on increase\par and of global concern.Cucumis sativus is believed to have anti-oxidant activity, high flavonoid\par content, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, which may be likely of use in the management\par of these diseases. The anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of the homogenate of\par Cucumis sativus fruit were therefore studied. The fresh fruit of Cucumis sativus was\par homogenized and used for all experimental analysis without further dilution. Acute toxicity tests\par of the homogenate of Cucumis sativusfruit were carried out. The phytochemical analyses and\par proximate compositions of the fruit homogenate were carried out. 1, 1-Diphenyl-2-Picryl\par Hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the fruit homogenate was determined. The\par effects of the fruit homogenate on agar-induced paw oedema in rats were investigated. The\par effects of the fruit homogenate on liver function enzyme (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate\par aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) activities, total bilirubin concentration and lipid\par profile (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein\par concentrations) in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were evaluated using\par standard biochemical methods.The effects of the fruit homogenate on hypotonicity-induced\par haemolysis of RBC, phospholipase A2and prostaglandin synthase activitieswere also studied.\par Data were analysed using SPSS and two-way ANOVA; the acceptance level of significance was\par p\f1\u706?\f0 0.05.The qualitative phytochemical tests on the homogenate of Cucumis sativus fruitrevealed\par the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, resins, steroids, saponins and\par tannins. The quantitative phytochemical analysis of the homogenate ofCucumis sativus fruit\par showed that,reducing sugars (574.36 \'b1 3.88 mg/g) was highest amount when compared to other\par phytochemicals, alkaloids (2.22 \'b1 0.96 mg/g) and flavonoids (2.14 \'b1 0.56 mg/g) were\par moderately present while cyanogenic glycoside (0.21 \'b1 0.13 mg/g) was the lowest in\par quantity.Proximate analysis showed thatCucumis sativus fruit contained the following - fibre\par (1.30 \'b1 0.01%), moisture (94.6 \'b1 0.08%), protein (3.11 \'b1 0.07%) and ash (1.07 \'b1\par 0.24%)contents. The acute toxicity test showed no toxicity up to 5ml/kg (\f2\u8801?\f0 5000mg/kg) body\par weight which indicated the possible safety of the fruit to the users. There was relative increase in\par the percentage inhibition of DPPH radical scavenging activity with increased amount of the\par homogenate. At doses of 2ml and 4ml/kg b.w., the fruit homogenate significantly (p \f1\u706?\f0 0.05)\par inhibitedagar-induced raw paw oedema relative to control. Studies on membrane stabilization\par using hypotonicity-induced red blood cell haemolysis revealed that the fruit homogenate\par significantly (p\f1\u706?\f0 0.05)inhibited haemolysis when compared to indomethacin (a known standard\par drug).The homogenate exhibited a significant (p\f1\u706?\f0 0.05) dose (0.5ml and 1.0ml) related inhibition\par of prostaglandin synthase activity (79.9% and 81.0% respectively), compared to 0.4mg/ml of\par indomethacin, standard drug (82.0%). The fruit homogenate like prednisolone significantly\par (p\f1\u706?\f0 0.05) inhibited phospholipase A2 activity.Treatment of rats with the homogenate of Cucumis\par sativus fruits significantly (p\f1\u706?\f0 0.05) decreased CCl4-inducedelevated levels of the liver enzymes\par ALT, AST and ALP and of total bilirubin in the serum when compared to positive control. The\par homogenate also attenuated the CCl4-induced elevation of LDL, total cholesterol and\par triacylglycerol amounts and ameliorated the induced depletion of HDL. The results indicated that\par the homogenate of Cucumis sativus fruits possesses anti-inflammatory activities and\par hepatoprotective\lang2057 effects\lang9\par }