Assessment of In Vivo Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Properties of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Annona reticulata Linn

Abstract

Annona reticulata Linn.′s aqueous leaf extract was studied for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and wound healing potentials in animal models. Comprehensive in vivo studies were conducted in a mouse model using three well-established methods for evaluating analgesic potential; in all three studies, the aqueous extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight doses showed significant and promising effects. A 400 mg/kg dose of aqueous fraction, in the acetic acid–induced writhing test, demonstrated 75% inhibition of pain; in the hot plate test, exhibited 80% analgesic efficacy (90 min later of taking dose); and in the formalin-induced paw licking test, exhibited inhibition of pain responses values of 32.31% and 66.61% in acute and chronic phases, respectively. By performing the xylene-induced ear edema method and the cotton pellet–induced granuloma test, notable anti-inflammatory potential was also found in the test fraction. Two hundred and 400 mg/kg dosages of aqueous leaf fraction reduced ear edema and granuloma brought on by xylene and cotton pellets (p < 0.001). Remarkable wound healing activity was also noted in the test extract in the burn wound model; the observed epithelialisation period for 10% ointment of aqueous extract was 13 ± 0.32 days, whereas the epithelialisation period for standard medication silver sulfadiazine was 14.20 ± 0.38 days. Moreover, probable components responsible for achieving these potentials were identified by utilising GC-MS analytical data.