ISSN 2169-303X
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN 2169-303X Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Preliminary studies on anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Securinega virosa (Euphorbiaceae) in experimental animal models
M. G. Magaji1*, J. A. Anuka1, I. Abdu-Aguye1, A. H. Yaro2, I. M. Hussaini3
1Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Pharmacology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
3Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Virginia, 415 Lane Road, MR5 Bldg, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, USA.
Accepted 22 February, 2019
Abstract
Securinega virosa is a commonly used medicinal plant in West Africa sub-region for the management of painful and inflammatory conditions. In the present study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root bark extract of S. virosa (SV) were investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema while analgesic activity was tested by acetic acid-induced writhing response and hot plate tests in Swiss albino mice, and formalin-induced pain in Wistar rats. The methanolic root bark extract of SV (6.25 - 25 mg kg-1 body weight, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions and attenuated the neurogenic pain (phase 2) induced by formalin. The extract also significantly (P < 0.01) prolonged the reaction latency to pain thermally-induced in mice by the hot plate. The extract at the doses (6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg kg-1) tested afforded 12, 52 and 52% inhibition of paw oedema respectively at the end of third hour. The intraperitoneal and oral LD50 values in mice were found to be 774.6 and greater than 5000 mg kg-1 respectively, while the preliminary phytochemical screening reveals the presence of alkaloid, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. The relatively high oral median lethal dose (> 5000 mg kg-1) suggests that the extract is relatively non toxic when taken orally. The present study indicates that SV has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and lend pharmacological support to suggested folkloric uses of the plant in the management of painful and inflammatory conditions.
Key words: Securinega virosa; Analgesia; writhing; Anti-inflammation; Carrageenan.