Abstract

AN EVALUATION OF THE ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF THE SOLVENT FRACTIONS OF ASPILIA AFRICANA (PERS.)

*Ukwueze SE, Aghanya AN, Mgbahurike AA and Shorinwa OA

ABSTRACT

The use of herbal medicines in the treatment of pain and inflammation has increased significantly in recent years as herbal drugs have become the most accessible form of healthcare to majority of the population in most developing nations. This study was therefore aimed at the investigation and evaluation of the analgesic and anti inflammatory effects of the solvent fractions of Aspilia africana on tail-immersioninduced pain and egg-albumin-induced inflammation using albino rats. Phytochemical constituents of the solvent fractions were also determined using standard procedures. Saponins, tannins and flavonoids were found to be common in all the active fractions. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the different solvent fractions were compared against a standard non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (Indomethacin) and a placebo. All the fractions showed negative significant values at P<0.05 when compared with Indomethacin for the analgesic effect while that against the placebo showed no significant difference in activity. For the anti-inflammatory effect, all the fractions showed no significant difference when compared with indomethacin but when compare with the negative control, a positive significant difference (P < 0.001) was observed from the 3rd to 4th hours. In conclusion, Aspilia africana leaves harvested in Nigeria could therefore be said to posses significant anti inflammatory property with little analgesic effect. This makes the plant a useful agent in the formulation of herbal-based preparations that could be employed in combating numerous cases of arthritic and other inflammatory disorders common among the people leaving in that region.

Keywords: Analgesic; Anti-inflammatory; Arthritis; Aspilia; Fractionation; Indomethacin.