Abstract

ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND ANTIINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF AERIAL PART OF NEPHROLEPIS BISERRATA (SW) SCHOTT (DAVALLIACEAE)

Shorinwa Olusayo A.* and Ogeleka Nwakaego O.

ABSTRACT

Nephrolepis biserrata (Davalliaceae) commonly known as Giant sword fern is traditionally used in the treatment of wounds. Ethanolic extract of the aerial part of this species obtained from palm trees was investigated for the antinociceptive effect by using radiant tail flick method and anti-inflammatory activity by egg-albumin induced paw edema in albino rats. The extract was administered at doses of 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg through the oral route. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrate and flavonoids. The plant extract at a dose of 500mg/kg exhibited a significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity at 30 and 180 minutes whereas 1000mg/kg of extract showed significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity at 30minutes. Oral administration of 250mg/kg of the extract significantly (P<0.05) inhibited acute inflammation caused by egg albumin induced paw edema at 1hour, 500mg/kg of the extract showed anti-inflammatory effect at 4 hour while 1000mg/kg of the extract showed significant (P<0.01) inhibition at 1hr respectively. The findings of this study has shown that the plant extract seems to possess antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Thus, the aerial part of N. biserrata may be a potential source for the development of drugs with antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities.

Keywords: Antinociceptive, Anti-inflammatory activity, Nephrolepis biserrata, Tail flick.