Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the saponins extract of Carissa edulis root in rodents

Abstract

The saponins extract of Carissa edulis Vahl family Apocynaceae was investigated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The analgesic activity was studied using hot-plate and acetic acid-induced writhing tests in mice while the anti-inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenan-induced paw oedema test in rats. The saponins extract at all the doses tested showed statistically significant analgesic activity (P<0.001) in the two models used for the study and the results were comparable to those obtained with the standard drugs used in each case. The saponins extract also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity (P<0.001) at all the doses used in the study. The inhibition of oedema produced by the extract was comparable to the inhibition produced by 10 mg/kg ketoprofen. The saponins extract was found to have an intraperitoneal LD 50 of 565.69 mg/kg indicating a moderate toxicity. The thin layer chromatographic analysis showed the presence of triterpenoid saponins. The study showed that the saponins extract of Carissa edulis root has potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.