Anti-pyretic, Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Urtica Dioica (L.) in Albino Mice

Safari Vz,Ngugi Mp

doi:10.4172/2167-0412.1000237

Abstract

Urtica dioica has been used to manage several diseases including pain, inflammation and fever. However, its efficacy has not been scientifically validated. The aim of this study therefore is to investigate the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of its aqueous extracts. The plant extract was collected from Loita division, Narok County in Kenya. A total of 96 albino mice with an average weight of 20 g were used for this study. Analgesic activity was determined by use of formalin−induced writhing test. A writhe was recorded by a stopwatch following the stretching of the abdomen and/or stretching of at least one hind limb. Anti-inflammatory activity was established by a formalin induced inflammation test. Hourly changes in paw sizes and reduction of edema around the paw was determined using a venier calipers. Antipyretic activity was carried out using Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia. Temperature of each mouse was determined rectally by thermal probe thermometer. The aqueous leaf extracts of Urtica dioica reduced pain, inflammation and fever mostly at dose 150 mg/kg body weight. Based on these findings it was concluded that the present study has demonstrated the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic potential of aqueous leaf extracts of Urtica dioica in albino mice and will serve as good bio-resource for generating readily available herbal formulations that are more effective in the treatment of pain, inflammation and fever conditions which are cheaper than the conventional synthetic drugs and have no side effects.

Highlights

Urtica diocia L commonly known as stinging nettle has, for a long time, been used as herbal remedy to a vast array of diseases [1]
The formalin test differs from most other nociceptive tests, such as the hot plate, tail flick and tail pinch tests, in that it enables evaluation of analgesic activity towards moderate, continuous pain generated by injured tissue
Possible to find opioid analgesics as well as analgesics in aqueous leaf extracts of Urtica dioica that act by inhibition of inflammatory pathways responsible for pain

Summary

Introduction

Urtica diocia L (family Urticaceae) commonly known as stinging nettle has, for a long time, been used as herbal remedy to a vast array of diseases [1]. The shrub is covered with stinging trichomes that contain histamine, acetylcholine and formic acid that cause irritation and blistering of the skin. For this reason, it has been undervalued by most communities [1]. It has been shown to counter symptoms of allergies [5] and increase thyroid function [1]. This shrub has been used from the ancient to modern times with great success achieve, the mode of preparation of the medicinal compounds and administration (popularly cooked and orally taken) could lead to less efficiency. It is important to scientifically determine the right dosage as well as the time of action in vitro through extraction of active compounds and testing on experimental animals

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion