Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Melanthera scandens

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of leaf extract of Melanthera scandens (M. scandens).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The crude leaf extract (39-111 mg/kg) of M. scandens was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using various experimental models. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carragenin, egg-albumin induced oedema models, while acetic acid, formalin-induced paw licking and thermal-induced pain models were used to evaluate the antinociceptive property.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The extract caused a significant (P<0.05 - 0.001) dose-dependent reduction of inflammation and pains induced by different agents used.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The leaf extract possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects which may be mediated through the phytochemical constituents of the plant.</p>