ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Our present study was carried out to explore the potential role of the methanol extract from the leavesof Phlogocanthus thyrsiflorus (PT) Nees. in central and peripheral analgesic activities using hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing methods. We also tested the antiinflammatory effects and anti-oxidant activity using carrageenan-induced paw edema and the DPPH method, respectively. METHODS: Methanol extracts of PT leaves were prepared using 500 g powder in 1.8 L methanol by percolation method, followed by evaporation in a rotary evaporator under controlled temperature and pressure. The crude methanol extract was dried by freeze drier and preserved at 4 °C. RESULTS: Oral administration of PT significantly (p < 0.05)increased the reaction time at 55.73% (250 mg/kg) and 72.81% (500 mg/kg) inhibition (p < 0.05) in the hot plate test at 3 h. PT significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited 42.17% (250 mg/kg) and 56.63% (500 mg/kg) acetic acid-induced writhing. PT leaves (250 and 500 mg/kg) also significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited paw edema 6 h after carrageenan injection. Furthermore, this plant showed significant (p < 0.05) free radical-scavenging activity at a dose range of 25800 µg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings, we can conclude that PT leaf possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. Preliminary phytochemical study of PT leaves revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins and triterpens in methanol extract which could be correlated with its observed biological activities.
Subject(s)
Acanthaceae/chemistry , Analgesics/pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Analgesics/administration & dosage , Analgesics/isolation & purification , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification , Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Carrageenan/toxicity , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Edema/drug therapy , Edema/pathology , Female , Inflammation/drug therapy , Inflammation/pathology , Male , Methanol/chemistry , Mice , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Plant Leaves , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Abstract Background: The present study was carried out to explore the potential of the ethanol extract of Ixora coccinea L. (IC) leaves as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents using the hot-plate, acetic acid-induced writhing, carrageenan-induced paw edema and brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia tests in rodents. Methods: The extract was prepared by soaking the dried powdered leaves of IC in ethanol for 2 days. The filtrate thus obtained by filtration and evaporation was considered as a stock solution and was used in all experimental models. Results: Oral administration of IC (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) increased the reaction time in the hot-plate test. Ixora coccinea (250 and 500 mg/kg) produced 56.14% and 63.16% inhibition (p<0.05) in acetic acid-induced writhing. It also (250 and 500 mg/kg) produced significant (p<0.05) inhibition of paw edema pronounced at 6 h after carrageenan injection. Intraperitoneal administration of IC (250 and 500 mg/kg) lowered the body temperature in brewer's yeast-induced hyperthermia. Conclusions: Based on the findings, it may be concluded that the IC leaves possessed analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities. Phytochemical constituents of IC leaves such as flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenes in ethanol extract could be correlated with its observed biological activities.
