Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of leaf extract ofWattakaka volubilis(Dreagea volubilis)

Abstract

Wattakaka volubilis (Family: Asclepiadaceae) has been reported to possess medicinal effects. In the present study, the dried leaf extract [methanol–water (1:1)] of W. volubilis designated as ‘the extract’ was evaluated for pharmacological activity in rats and mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acute, sub-chronic and chronic models of inflammation in rodents. The antipyretic and analgesic activities were evaluated in mice models. In the acute toxicity study, it was found that the extract was non-toxic up to 1 g/kg, i.p. The extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) was found to possess, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities in a dose-dependent manner and the effect was comparable with that produced by the standard drug, ibuprofen. The extract significantly inhibited the arachidonic acid-induced paw oedema in rats, indicating that the extract inhibited both the cyclo-oxygenase and lipo-oxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The extract also significantly enhanced the macrophage count in mice in a dose- and time-dependent manner. It is possible that the saponins present in the extract may be responsible for these activities. Key words: Wattakaka volubilis, saponins, anti-inflammatory activity, leaf extract