Investigation of analgesic potential and in vitro antioxidant activity of two plants of Asteraceae family growing in Bangladesh

Abstract

BackgroundThe present study was designed to investigate analgesic potential and in vitro antioxidant activity of crude ethanolic extract of two plants (Ageratum conyzoides L. and Mikania cordifolia L.) of Asteraceae family growing in the coastal region of Bangladesh. MethodsThe analgesic potentials of the plants were evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing in mice and for investigating the antioxidant activity, four complementary test methods namely DPPH free radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay, ferrous ion chelating ability assay, and total phenolic content determination were carried out. Results and discussionThe analgesic activities of the crude extracts were found significant at dose of 500 mg/kg-body weight inhibition (p < 0.001) in comparison with standard Diclofenac sodium. The results of the antioxidant tests showed that A. conyzoides is fairly strong with antioxidant properties in comparison with standards used, whereas M. cordifolia got moderate antioxidant potentiality. ConclusionThe study tends to suggest potent analgesic activity of crude ethanolic extract of leaves of A. conyzoides L. and M. cordifolia L., and justify their traditional use for antioxidant and analgesic treatment; however, in vivo antioxidant activity and active component(s) of the extract for antioxidant and analgesic potentiality are yet to be discovered.