Preliminary Studies of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Antigonon leptopus Hook. et Arn Roots in Experimental Models

Abstract

The methanolic extract of Antigonon leptopus Hook. et Arn roots was evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The hot-plate and acetic acid writhing response in mice were used to assess analgesic activity. Carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, which is an acute model, was used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of A. leptopus Hook. et Arn root extract. The extract inhibited paw edema in a dose-related manner. A dose-dependent analgesic action was obtained against chemical (writhing test) and thermic (hot-plate test) stimuli indicating antinociceptive activity may involve inhibition of pain by peripheral and central mechanisms. Further, an acute toxicity study with the extract showed no sign of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Thus, the extract of A. leptopus Hook. et Arn root possesses significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.