Abstract
Heteromorpha arborescens belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is commonly known as the parsley tree. One of its uses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is for the treatment of abdominal pains. The therapeutic effects of the methanolic and aqueous root extracts of H. arborescens were investigated at two dose levels respectively on experimental models of pain and inflammation in rodents. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated using the hot-plate, abdominal constriction and formalin tests. The anti-inflammatory properties of these extracts were assessed using albumin and carrageenan as phlogistic agents. Both extracts produced significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) inhibition of thermal nociception induced by a hot plate. On chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin injection, both extracts significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) decreased the number of writhing episodes and the licking time in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with the extracts at the same doses produced a significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) pain inhibition of the carrageenan induced inflammatory pain. Similarly, both extracts produced a significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) reduction of edema induced by albumin and carrageenan. These results suggest that both extracts of H. arborescens may act by inhibition of the mediators of inflammation. These findings seem to justify the use of the plant in traditional medicine in the management of pain and inflammation related diseases.
Highlights
The management of pain and inflammation related problems is a real challenge that people face daily
Several drugs are available for these conditions, medicinal plants are believed to be an important source of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects (Gupta et al, 2006)
Heteromorpha arborescens commonly known as the parsley tree in English, “wildepitersielie” in Afrikaans and “umBangandlala” in Xhosa is a medicinal plant used to treat abdominal pains, dysmenorrhea, nervous and mental disorders as well as a vermicide in children (Palmer and Pitman, 1973)
Summary
The management of pain and inflammation related problems is a real challenge that people face daily. Heteromorpha arborescens commonly known as the parsley tree in English, “wildepitersielie” in Afrikaans and “umBangandlala” in Xhosa is a medicinal plant used to treat abdominal pains, dysmenorrhea, nervous and mental disorders as well as a vermicide in children (Palmer and Pitman, 1973). This plant is found in wooded grassland, bushveld and on forest margins in South Africa. Up to date, there is no scientific report or verification of the use of this plant in inflammation and pain management. This study investigated the analgesic and the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of H. arborescens using different experimental models of pain and inflammation
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