Local anesthetic and tissue effects of the leaf extract and fractions of Sterculia tragacantha Lindl

Abstract

The local anesthetic and tissue effects of the leaf extract and fractions of S. tragacantha were evaluated in this study. The extract 10 and 0.03 mg mL -1 produced 100 and 86% anesthesia, respectively while lignocaine 0.1 and 0.03 mg mL -1 produced 94.4 and 69.4% anesthesia respectively. The fractions showed concentration dependent local anaesthetic effect with fraction 5 being the most active fraction. Fractions 5 and 7 were more potent than lignocaine. Histological examination of skin sections of mice taken on days 1 and 5 post injection of S. tragacantha extract did not reveal any sign of tissue reaction. Ali fractions contained alkaloids and flavonoids. Three fractions (F 5, F 6 and F 7) contained saponins. This study showed that the extract and fractions of S. tragacantha exhibited local anesthetic activity. The alkaloids and saponins contained in the leaves of S. tragacantha may be responsible for this activity. © 2012 Academic Journals Inc.