Preliminary assessment of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of methanol leaf extract of Cussonia barteri (Araliaceae) in rodents

Abstract

Introduction: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important vegetable crop in Syria. Potato tuber moth Cussonia barteri is a small tree that grows in the sub-Saharan part of Africa. Various parts of the plant are used for the treatment of a variety of ailments in ethno-medicine. Objective: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the methanol leaf extract of Cussonia barteri. Material and methods: The leaves were air-dried, powdered and repeatedly extracted with methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The resulting methanol extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced paw oedema, xylene-induced ear oedema and formalin-induced arthritis tests. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced mouse writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests. Results: All doses of the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema, however the 400 mg/kg dose gave a sustained effect. The extract significantly inhibited xylene induced ear oedema at all doses. There were no significant (p>0.05) reductions in paw swellings due to formalin. In the acetic acid induced writhing test, the extract significantly (p<0.05) decreased writhing at 400 mg/kg only. Reaction times were not significantly different from the control in the hot plate and tail flick tests. Conclusion: This study has shown that the methanol extract possesses acute anti-inflammatory and peripherally mediated analgesic effects.