Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic flower extract of Newbouldia laevis in mice and rats

Abstract

Summary: The ethanolic flower extract of Newbouldia laevis was investigated for possible anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents. Acetic acid induced writhing (in mice) and formalin tests (in rats) were used to study. The extract caused a significant decrease (P< 0.05), which was not dose a dependent inhibition on acetic acid-induced writhing and the neurogenic pain induced by formalin. The extract at the doses (25, 50 and 100mg/kg) tested showed 59, 71 and 47% inhibition of abdominal constriction in mice respectively. The highest activity resides more at the lowest dose of 50mg/kg on the acetic acid induced abdominal constrictions. The intraperitoneal LD50 value of the extract was found to be 1264.9mg/kg body weight in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. The results suggest the extract contains pharmacologically active principles, and are in agreement with the local application of the plant in painful and inflammatory conditions. Industrial relevance : Plant sources have provided inspiration in the development of an impressive number of synthetic drugs. These resources provide a host of novel chemical compounds, which have been optimized on the basis of their biological activities. This study will be helpful for the industry to produce herbal formulation more potent with less side effect and less costly than the present synthetic drugs used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs that is devoid of more seriously adverse effects