Abstract
Alysicarpus ovalifolius commonly known as gadagi in Northern Nigeria is claimed to possess tonic effects. Substances that show stimulant properties have demonstrated analgesic effects. This study therefore aimed at investigating the anti-nociceptive effects of the hydroethanolic extract of A. ovalifolius (HEAo) in mice and rats. The activities of the extract on acetic acid induced abdominal writhing, formalin induced pain and tail immersion test were carried out in mice. Effect on carrageenan induced pain was also determined in rats. The extract at the tested doses (100 – 400 mg/kg) significantly and dose dependently decreased the number of abdominal writhing in treated mice. Similarly, extract treated mice exhibited a decrease in the pain reaction in both phases of formalin induced algesia. Carrageenan caused hyperalgesia in rats which was ameliorated in rats treated with HEAo (400 mg/kg) when administered before and after exposure to carrageenan. Reaction time in the tail immersion test was increased in extract pre-treated mice. Results obtained from this study show that the hydro-ethanolic extract of A. ovalifolius may contain phytoconstituent probably acting on peripheral and centrally mediated pain receptors to produce anti-nociceptive actions. Key words: Anti-nociceptive effects, hydro-ethanolic extract, Alysicarpus ovalifolius, rodents.
Highlights
The increased acceptability of herbs as having medicinal value is due to the belief that they are from natural sources are more likely to be safer than synthesized medicines
The filtrated fraction was evaporated to dryness on a water bath regulated at 40°C to obtain hydroethanolic extract of A. ovalifolius (HEAo) with a yield of 9.60 ± 1.65
The acetic acid induced abdominal writhing, formalin, carrageenan induced pain models and tail immersion test were used with the aim of detecting analgesic effects of the extract and its possible involvement on peripheral or centrally mediated actions
Summary
The increased acceptability of herbs as having medicinal value is due to the belief that they are from natural sources are more likely to be safer than synthesized medicines. Alrashedy and Molina (2016) reported that psychoactive compounds such as caffeine, atropine and nicotine were produced in plants as a defense mechanism against predators. These compounds act on the central nervous system and produce effects such as stimulation, sedation, anxiolysis, stimulant effects that affect mental processes and behaviour (Cadar et al, 2015; Anderson and Brunzell, 2015). Human beings developed alternate uses for plants with psychoactive constituent for relief of hunger, fatigue and pain in order to facilitate survival (Lemieux et al, 2015; Balkrishna and Misra, 2017).
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