Studies on the Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Hydro-alcohol Extract of Caralluma dalzielii N.E.Br (Asclepiadaceae) in Rats and Mice

Abstract

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory potentials of the hydro-alcohol extract of Caralluma dalzielii N.E.Br, a Nigerian traditional medicinal plant was studied using thermal and chemical-induced pain models and carrageenan-induced acute inflammation. The acute toxicity and the phytochemical constituents of the extract were also determined. The results showed that the extract at a dose of 80 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the pain reaction times in the hot-plate pain model at 30 and 60 min and reduced acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and decrease pain score in formalin induced pain in rats at all doses tested. The hydro-alcohol extract of Caralluma dalzielii N.E.Br demonstrated significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory activity against acute inflammation induced by carrageenan. The estimated LD 50 of the extract was found to be 288.53 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, glycosides and flavonoids. These findings indicate that the hydro-alcohol extract of Caralluma dalzielii has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and could be beneficial in alleviating painful inflammatory conditions.