Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids rich fraction of Solanum incanum (Lin) root extracts in mice

Abstract

Solanum incanum (Solanaceae) is a common perennial shrub-like herb that grows up to 0.9-1.2 m high which is a widely used as folklore remedy for ailments such as stomach-ache, headache, painful menstruation, angina, fever, sore throat and other painful conditions, sexually transmitted diseases, skin infections, burns wounds, pneumonia and rheumatism by various African communities. Crude root extracts of the herb were shown to exhibit antinociceptive and ant-inflammatory effect. In spite of all these uses of S. incanum, there’s no enough science-based information on the effect of purified extracts of the herb on these signs and symptoms. Hence the main objective of the study was to evaluating the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects flavonoids rich fraction from S. incanum root in mice. In this study 6.5, 12.5 and 25 mg of flavonoids rich fraction S. incanum roots extract, diclofenac and the normal saline (vehicle) was injected subcutaneously in Swiss Albino mice 30 minutes prior to induction of pain and inflammation. Pain and inflammation were induced using dilute formalin solution that was injected in the animal’s left hind paw. The time spent in pain behavior (lifting, leaking and biting the injured paw) was measured and recorded for the first 5 minutes and between 15-30 minutes after formalin injection. Acute edema was used as an acute inflammatory model. The paw diameter was measured prior to injection with formalin and then after two hours. Significant analgesic and antiinflammatory activities (p < 0.05) were exhibited by 6.5 and 12.5 mg doses. These findings indicated S. incanum root extracts contains flavonoids with antinociceptive and inflammation effects.