Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of 9-Hexacosene and Stigmasterol isolated from Mondia whytei

Abstract

The aim of the study was to ascertain the analgesic properties of Mondia whytei
\nroots and to isolate and characterize the active constituents. Bioactivity guided
\nfractionation of the chloroform root extract yielded stigmasterol and 9-hexacosene.
\nStigmasterol (15 mg/kg) and 9-hexacosene (30 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05)
\ninhibited chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid. Stigmasterol
\n(7.5, 15, 30 and 100 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced the time spent in pain behavior
\nin both the early and late phases of the formalin test. 9-hexacosene dose
\ndependently caused significant (p<0.001) antinociceptive effect on the late phase of
\nthe formalin test. Co-administration of naloxone failed to antagonize the analgesic
\nactivity of stigmasterol and 9-hexacosene in the formalin test. We concluded that
\nboth stigmasterol and 9-hexacosene possess potential analgesic effects which are
\nmost likely mediated by their anti-inflammatory activities rather than through
\nopioid receptor system.