Evaluation of Phytochemical Screening and Analgesic Activity of Aqueous Extract of The Leaves of <i>Microtrichia perotitii</i> Dc (Asteraceae) in Mice using Hotplate Method

Abstract

Currently, available drugs for the management of pains, fever and inflammation conditions presents with it many known adverse effects, hence the search for new drugs from plants which hitherto may be harmless to humans. To this end, Microtrichia perotitii (Asteraceae) was screened for its phyto contents and analgesic properties using hotplate method with mice. The result of the preliminary Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, carbohydrates and phenolics in the plant as a whole. The analgesic study showed that the aqueous extract of the leaves have significant activity (P<0.05; P<0.001) as compared to morphine sulphate (10 mg/kg) used as a standard drug. The result indicated dose-independed activity. Tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins have been reported to be responsible for the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in many medicinal plants of this family. These results may explain the use of the plant for the management of pains and its related ailments in the locality where it is very common.