Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of () Leaves in Rodents.

BACKGROUND

Ethnobotanical studies in various districts of Ethiopia reported that () is used for the management of headache, abdominal pain, arthritis and rheumatism. However, there is no scientific investigation done so far to confirm these traditional claims. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the 80% methanol extract and fractions of leaves.

METHODS

The dried and pulverized leaves of were soaked with 80% methanol to obtain a crude extract. Fractionation was done using chloroform, ethyl acetate and water by a soxhlet apparatus. The analgesic effects of the crude extract and solvent fractions were assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests whereas anti-inflammatory activities were investigated using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma models.

RESULTS

In all the tested doses, the 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions revealed substantial (p < 0.001) analgesic activities in acetic acid induced writhing test. In the hot plate method, all the tested doses of crude extract and the solvent fractions produced significant analgesic activities (p < 0.05). In the carrageenan-induced acute inflammation model, all tested doses of the crude extract and solvent fractions resulted in a significant decline in paw edema. The 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of at all the tested doses significantly reduced inflammatory exudates and granuloma mass formations (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

From the results of this investigation, it can be stated that 80% methanol extract, aqueous, ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions of exhibited considerable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting the plant's traditional use as a remedy for a variety of painful and inflammatory conditions.