Abstract
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory potentials of the hydro-alcohol extract of <em>Caralluma dalzielii</em> N.E.Br, a Nigerian traditional medicinal plant was studied using thermal and chemical-induced pain models and carrageenan-induced acute inflammation. The acute toxicity and the phytochemical constituents of the extract were also determined. The results showed that the extract at a dose of 80 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the pain reaction times in the hot-plate pain model at 30 and 60 min and reduced acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and decrease pain score in formalin induced pain in rats at all doses tested. The hydro-alcohol extract of <em>Caralluma dalzielii</em> N.E.Br demonstrated significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation induced by carrageenan. The estimated LD<sub>50</sub> of the extract was found to be 288.53 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, glycosides and flavonoids. These findings indicate that the hydro-alcohol extract of <em>Caralluma dalzielii</em> has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and could be beneficial in alleviating painful inflammatory conditions.
Highlights
It has been a well-accepted concept that pain, whether acute or chronic, peripheral or central, originates from inflammation and the inflammatory response (Omoigui, 2007)
Acute toxicity test showed that the Hydro-alcohol Extract of Caralluma dalzielii N.E.Br (HECD) produces 100% mortality at doses of 370, 600 and 1000 mg/kg, respectively
The results of this study revealed that the hydroalcohol extract of Caralluma dalzielii possess both peripheral and central analgesic properties
Summary
It has been a well-accepted concept that pain, whether acute or chronic, peripheral or central, originates from inflammation and the inflammatory response (Omoigui, 2007). Medicinal plants and traditional healthcare practices are important in providing clues to new areas of research and biodiversity conservation. It has been widely observed that medicinal plants are used in most developing countries as a normative basis for the maintenance of good health (Ranjan et al, 2010). Many medicinal plants are used in developing countries for the management of pain and inflammatory conditions. Scientific proof of the folkloric claims of these medicinal plants through research will provide basis for the conservation of tropical medicinal resources. These could provide useful compounds in drug development and testing processes (Musa et al, 2009)
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