Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Sphaeranthus senegalensis.

Sphaeranthus senegalensis Vaill (Asteraceae) is used in traditional medicine as a remedy for rheumatic pains and other ailments. The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of the whole shoot of the plant was evaluated in mice and rats. Activity of the extract against egg-albumin induced hind paw oedema was measured to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity while the anti-nociceptive potency was evaluated using three painful stimuli viz acetic acid induced abdominal constriction and hot plate test in mice, and the formalin test in rats. Results indicated that the extract possess remarkable dose dependent anti-inflammatory activities in rats. The extract also showed anti-nociceptive activities against acetic acid induced writhing, formalin and the hot plate pain models. The effects were significant (P < 0.05) when compared with the saline control group. The results suggest the presence of a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive principle in the extract, which support the folkloric use of the plant in relieving rheumatic pains.

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-lymphocytic activities of the aqueous extract of Crinum giganteum.

The anti-inflammatory, anti-lymphocytic and analgesic properties of Crinum giganteum, a popular herb used for the management of asthma and other respiratory disorders was investigated in rats and mice. The extract dose-dependently produced significant (P<0.05) inhibition of formalin induced pain in rats. It also demonstrated significant (P<0.01) inhibition of abdominal constriction induced with 0.75% v/v acetic acid in mice. On the cotton pellet induced granulomatous tissue formation in rats, the extract significantly (P<0.05) decreased the weight. However, no significant inhibition was observed in the egg albumin-induced inflammation in rats. Oral administration of this extract in rats for 14 days significantly affected (P<0.05) the total leukocyte count and the overall percentage lymphocytes. The intraperitoneal and per oral LD(50) were 627+/-5.8mg/kg and 1486+/-18.9 mg/kg in mice and 520+/-10.2mg/kg and 1023+/-4.3 mg/kg in rats, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extract indicates the presence of tannins. These results therefore indicate that C. giganteum bulb contains biologically active principles, which have potentials for the treatment of inflammatory processes.

Pharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of Neorautanenia mitis in rodents.

The pharmacological effects of the aqueous extract of Neorautanenia mitis (family Papilonaceae) were studied in rodents. Investigations were carried out on acetic acid-induced writhing (pain) in mice and hind paw oedema in rats. The effects of the extract were also studied on the isolated non-pregnant rat uterus and rabbit jejunum. Results showed the extract to possess significant (P<0.05) dose-dependent anti-nociceptive activity between 12.5 and 50.0 mg/kg p.o. in mice and slight anti-inflammatory activity at 25 and 50 mg/kg p.o. in rats. The extract also produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the normal rhythmic contraction of the isolated non-pregnant rat uterus. It was found to inhibit oxytocin-induced as well as acetylcholine-induced contractions in the rat uterus. The extract also exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous contractions of the rabbit jejunum. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of saponin glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. The extract had an intraperitoneal (i.p.) LD(50) of 282.84+/-3.2 mg/kg in mice. These data corroborate the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.