Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and acute toxicity evaluation of Litchi chinensis seed extract in albino rat

Abstract

Litchi chinensis is a edible fruits of soapberry family commonly known as lychee; is traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation, headache, and body pain. The present study investigated the toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activity of the ethanolic crude extract of Litchi chinensis to support its traditional use in its folk medicine and to screen the phytochemical constituents. 70% ethanolic extract of seeds of Litchi chinensis (LCSE) was prepared and preliminary phytochemical screening was performed. Acute toxicity of LCSE was carried out based on OECD guidelines 423. In vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the extract was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema and hot plate methods in Wistar albino rat's model. Results revealed that LCSE contains phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and alkaloids. LD50 values were found to be higher than 5000 mg/kg body weight; no any sign of toxicity, behavior changes, moribund, and mortality were observed in LCSE treated animals. Oral administration of LCSE at the dose of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg produced a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent inhibition in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and hot plate. These results suggest that LCSE is non-toxic, and shows potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities over Wistar albino rats. These finding demonstrate that lychee seed extract acts as a good therapeutic candidate for the safe anti-inflammatory agents.