Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of methanolic seed extract of sterculia villosa roxb

Abstract

Objective: To scientifically validate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of methanolic seed extract of Sterculia villosa Roxb. (SVME) in animal models. Methods: Analgesic activity of SVME was evaluated by the hot plate-induced pain model, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing response, and formalin test in mice at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. A carrageenan-induced paw edema model was also used to evaluate anti-inflammatory potential of SVME in rats at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid, gums and carbohydrates, steroids, alkaloid, reducing sugar, and terpenoids in significant amounts. The SVME produced significant analgesic activity in the hot-plate test in mice at all the time points measured. Extracts of 250 and 500 mg/kg reduced dose-dependent acetic acid-induced writhing by 40.2% (p<0.01) and 59.8% (p<0.001), respectively. Significant inhibition of formalin-induced pain was also observed, with inhibition of 62.1% (p<0.001) and 66.7% (p<0.001) in the early phase at dosages of 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and 64.4% (p<0.01) and 70.3% (p<0.01) in the late stage at these dosages. SVME pretreatments showed significant anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced edema at all the time points measured. Conclusion: The results suggest that SVME possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These findings provide support use of this plant in traditional medicine to treat pain and inflammation. ? 2015, Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research. All rights reserved.