Analgesic effects of aqueous extracts of the leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum

Abstract

Bryophyllum pinnatum Linn (Crassulaceae) is a shrub with simple or trifoliate petiolate leaves used mainly in folk medicine to alleviate pains of various intensities and etiologies. The analgesic potency of the aqueous extract of the leaves of B. pinnatum was investigated using animal models. Results showed that the aqueous extract of B. pinnatum was devoid of severe toxic effects (LD50 = 660.9 ± 2.65 mg/kg body weight), increased the pain threshold in rats using the hot plate or thermal methods, inhibited or reduced phenylbenzoquinone-induced writhing or abdominal stretches in mice in a dose-dependent manner, and produced a weak or an inferior anti-inflammatory activity than aspirin. It is concluded that the aqueous extract of B. pinnatum can demonstrate strong analgesic potency comparable in a times-and dose-dependent manner to a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.