Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Allophylus spicatus Leaf Extract in Mice

Abstract

This study examined the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of an ethanolic extract of Allophylus spicatus leaves in albino mice, taking into account the socioeconomic impacts of pain and inflammation as well as the need to search for effective antipain and anti-inflammatory drugs with minimal side effects from traditional medicinal plants. The acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate method were used to assess the peripheral and central analgesic activity, while carrageenan-induced paw oedema and egg white-induced hind paw oedema were used to assess the anti-inflammatory activity. A. spicatus extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced discomfort in the acetic acid writhing test when 1% acetic acid (10ml/kg) was used to induce abdominal contractions. Similarly, in comparison to the control, the extract demonstrated noteworthy (p<0.05) analgesic effects in the hot plate method. Mice given different doses of the extract as well as those given indomethacin showed a substantial increase in the latency to pain response after 30 minutes when compared to the control group. In every time period tested, animals given 500 mg/kg of the extract showed the strongest analgesic effects. Gradual dosages of A. spicatus leaf extract and 10 mg/kg of standard Diclofenac sodium were administered after 0.1% carrageenan induced oedema, and after 120 and 180 minutes, respectively, the paw edema was significantly (p<0.05) reduced in control as equated. In a similar vein, graded dosages of A. spicatus leaf extract and conventional Diclofenac sodium dosed at 10mg/kg valuably decreases level of paw edema in the egg white-induced hind paw edema test as compared to the control. According to the study, ethanolic extract from A. spicatus leaves can effectively treat both centrally and peripherally caused pain. These findings validate reports of the plant's traditional usage in Nigerian communities for the treatment of inflammatory and analgesic ailments.