Abstract
The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Jatropha curcas were investigated in mice and rats respectively. The phytochemical screening of the extract was also carried out. The analgesic effect was determined by acetic acid – induced writhing test in mice. While the anti- inflammatory activity was determined by egg albumin – induced oedema of the rat paw. Phytochemical screening was done by standard procedures. Jatropha curcas leaf extract (10-80mg/kg) caused a statistically significant inhibition on the egg albumin – induced eodema or inflammation in Wister albino rats with P < 0.001 (ANOVA). This effect wascomparable to the observed effect with Piroxicam (0.5mg/kg) which was used as a standard. The effect was also dose- dependent. Furthermore, Jatropha curcas extract caused a statistically significant reduction in the number of acetic acid- induced writhing in mice, with P < 0.001 (ANOVA). These effects were also dose- dependent andcomparable to the analgesic effects obtained with paracetamol which was used as a reference drug. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of Flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids Alkaloids, tannins and saponins in Jatropha curcas leaf extract. Jatropha curcas can be recommended for acute inflammatory disorders and diseases associated with pains. This also supports its use traditionally as an anti-snake bite, rheumatism and anti- cancer or anti-tumoragent. Further study is on the way to find out the mechanism of its action and also to isolate, identify and characterizethe active agent responsible for these effects in this plant
Highlights
Plant materials: The fresh leaves of Jatropha curcas were collected in October, 2007, from the local garden within the premises of University of Port Harcourt Nigeria
In anti-inflammatory activity test, Jatropha curcas extract (10-80mg/kg) caused statistically significant (P < 0.001 analysis of variance (ANOVA)) inhibition of inflammation induced by egg albumin in the rats paw
The percentage inhibition of the inflammation caused by the Jatropha curcas extract (10-80mg/kg) was comparable to that obtained with Piroxicam (0.5mg/kg) which was used as standard
Summary
Plant materials: The fresh leaves of Jatropha curcas were collected in October, 2007, from the local garden within the premises of University of Port Harcourt Nigeria. Anti- inflammatory activity: Egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema0 Six groups of rats, each was administered either plant extract (10, 20, 40 0r 80mg/kg i.p), Piroxicam (0.5mg/kg i.p) or normal saline as control (0.5ml/kg) 1 hour before the induction of inflammation. Analgesic Activity: Acetic acid induced writhing response in Mice Analgesic effects of the plant extracts were evaluated by Veerappan et al, (2005) Method with little modification.
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