Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of crude extracts of Ipomoea involucrata leaves in mice and rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of crude extract from Ipomoea involucrata leaves (Convolvulaceae) in mice and rats. Methods The antinociceptive activity was tested using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using egg albumin induced oedema of rat paw. Results Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids and tannin. At the doses of 25–100 mg/kg, Ipomoea involucrata exhibited dose-dependent and significant increase in pain threshold in acetic acid –induced writhing test of mice (P<0.05, student t-test) The administration of Ipomoea involucrata leaf extract (25–100 mg/kg) showed dose-dependent decreases in paw volume of egg albumin induced oedema in rats and a significant higher anti-inflammatory activity compared to the standard control (Aspirin). Conclusions These results support the claims on the traditional use of the of Ipomoea involucrata leaves in the treatment of toothache, rheumatic pains and other inflammatory conditions. Studies on the isolation and structural elucidation of the active principle are still needed being carried out.