International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Publications ISSN (Online): 2581-6187 73 Nenita M. Tolentino, Marlon U. Saludarez, and Jason Arnold L. Maslang, “Anti-Inflammatory Property Evaluation of Parameria laevigata (Lupiit) Plant,” International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Publications (IJMRAP), Volume 5, Issue 8, pp. 73-76, 2023. Anti-Inflammatory Property Evaluation of Parameria laevigata (Lupiit) Plant Nenita M. Tolentino 1 , Marlon U. Saludarez 2 , Jason Arnold L. Maslang 3 1 Ramon National High School, Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela, Philippines, 3319 2 College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Western Philippines University, San Juan Aborlan, Palawan, 5302 3 School of Health and Natural Sciences, Saint Mary’s University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, 3700 Email address: nenitatolentino@gmail.com; greendestiny110581@gmail.com; jalamaslang@smu.edu.ph Abstract— Parameria laevigata is a perennial woody vine and has been used for many generations for its extensive natural medicinal properties. The study evaluated the anti-inflammatory properties of P. laevigata using qualitative and experimental research method to provide a scientific basis for its utilization in folkloric medicine as treatment for sprains. Also, the study determined the effectiveness of P. laevigata as treatment for sprains in folkloric medicine from the testimonies of patients, determined its phytochemical components, as well as the anti-inflammatory response of Mus musculus when treated with P. laevigata extract using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. Informal interviews revealed that the plant is used as treatment for their ailments, two methods of preparation were revealed: one by decoction through boiling with drinking water, and the other by extraction by soaking it with liquor, both of which were claimed by the respondents to be effective. In the phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of its root, essential oils, higher alcohols, steroids, anthraquinones, coumarins, tannins, flavonoids, and phenols were detected which would possibly explain its anti- inflammation benefits. In the inflammation experiment, the carrageenan-induced mice paw edema assay was conducted revealing that from the in-vivo test, 100mg/kg (extract/body weight) was comparable to the known anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac. The stem crude extract produced a variety of secondary metabolites and exhibited a considerable anti-inflammatory property. Keywords— Alternative medicine, Ethnobotany, folk medicine, Lupiit, non-timber forest product. I. INTRODUCTION The plant domain provides an enormous source of biologically active compounds with medicinal properties. Medicinal plants primarily serve as source of traditional medicine which were considered in the last decades as main focus for rigid pharmacological studies due to their therapeutic worth and being sources of novel compounds in the drug development [1]. Plants produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites that have evolved as defensive mechanism against herbivores, pathogens and other microbes [2]. Medicinal plants are commonly used in treating and preventing specific ailments and diseases that are generally considered to be harmful to humans. These plants are either wild plant species that grow spontaneously in self maintaining populations in natural or semi-natural ecosystems and could exist independently of direct human actions or domesticated plants species which may have arisen through human actions such as selection, breeding or management [3]. This use of herbal drugs that has been in practice among locals for centuries is now defined by the World Health Organization as traditional medicine [4], which only indicates that the indigenous practices of utilizing herbs as treatment for ailments is now recognized even by the premier health organization in the world. Yet, many of the indigenous utilizations of plant materials in health care still have to be evaluated for their efficacy, especially that nowadays, the importance of medicinal plants and traditional health systems in solving the health care problems of the world is gaining increasing attention. Because of this resurgence of interest, the research on plants of medicinal importance is growing phenomenally at the international level, often to the detriment of natural habitats and mother populations in the countries of origin. Most of the developing countries have adopted traditional medical practice as an integral part of their culture. Historically, all medicinal preparations were derived from plants, whether in the simple form of raw plant materials or in the refined form of crude extracts, mixtures, among others. Recent estimates suggest that several thousands of plants have been known with medicinal applications in various cultures [5]. These attributes of the plants are obviously accounted to the phytochemicals they contain including Parameria laevigata. Published studies had reported that P. laevigata leaves and bark are found to have embryoprotective and anti-teratogenic role [6]. Some other unverified webpages claim that P. laevigata can be used to treat infertility and arthritis. In lieu of the above, this study sought to investigate the biological activity of a locally know plant, the P. laevigata, particularly its anti-inflammatory property. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS A. Research Design Survey method through structured interview was conducted personally to determine how patients perceive the effectiveness of P. laevigata as treatment to their sprains. Experimental research design was used in determining the anti-inflammatory activities of P. laevigata crude extract. B. Structured Interview Patients in some local communities of Nueva Vizcaya and Isabela who received P. laevigata as treatment for their inflamed body parts were conveniently sampled for interview regarding their perceptions as to the effectiveness of this so- called herbal treatment.