Analgesic and antipyretic properties of Euphorbia royleana latex

The ethyl acetate fraction (EA) from the residue of an 85% ethanol extract of the latex of Euphorbia royleana (Euphorbiaceae) was investigated for antipyretic and analgesic properties. The results showed a dose related peripheral analgesic effect. The fraction assayed exhibited a significant antipyretic effect in hyperthermic rats and rabbits. The oral LD₅₀ was more than 2 g/kg in rats and mice. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies on the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic properties of Alstonia boonei stem bark

The methanol extract of the stem bark of Alstonia boonei was investigated for anti-inflammatory property. The analgesic and antipyretic properties of the extract was also evaluated. The extract caused a significant (P<0.05) inhibition of the carrageenan-induced paw oedema, cotton pellet granuloma, and exhibited an anti-arthritic activity in rats. Vascular permeability induced by acetic acid in the peritoneum of mice was also inhibited. The extract also produced marked analgesic activity by reduction of writhings induced by acetic acid, as well as the early and late phases of paw licking in mice. A significant (P<0.05) reduction in hyperpyrexia in mice was also produced by the extract. This study has established anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the stem bark of A. boonei.     

Bioactivity studies on Cassia alata Linn. leaf extracts

The hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts of the leaves of Cussia alata Linn. were tested for their antimutagenic, antifungal, analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic activities. At a dosage of 5 mg/20 g mouse, the hexane extract was analgesic as it reduced the number of squirms induced by acetic acid by 59.5%. Both the hexane and EtOAc extracts exhibited antiinflammatory activity at a dosage of 5 mg/20 g mouse with a 65.5% and 68.2% decrease in carrageenan-induced inflammation, respectively. The chloroform extract was antimutagenic, at a dosage of 2 mg/20 g mouse, with a 65.8% inhibition in the mutagenicity of tetracycline. It was also the most active against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, at a concentration of 50 mg/mL but it had no activity against Candida albicans. The hexane and EtOAc extracts showed some activity against both organisms, with the EtOAc extract being more active against C. albicans. The EtOAc extract was hypoglycaemic. At a dosage of 5 mg/20 g mouse, it decreased the blood sugar level of mice by 58.3%. Pharmacological studies showed that all extracts caused an immediate decrease in motor activity, enophthalmus, hyperemia, micturition and diarrhoea. At a dosage of 150 mg/20 g mouse, the EtOAc extract caused paralysis, screen grip loss and enophthalmus accompanied by drooping and closure of the eyelids.     

Anti-nociceptive activity of Pereskia bleo Kunth. (Cactaceae) leaves extracts

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Local communities in Malaysia consume Pereskia bleo Kunth. (Cactaceae) leaves as raw vegetables or as a concoction and drink as a tea to treat diabetes, hypertension, rheumatism, cancer-related diseases, inflammation, gastric pain, ulcers, and for revitalizing the body.

Aim of the study

To evaluate anti-nociceptive activity of the extracts and vitexin, isolated for the first time in this species, in two analgesic models; formalin-induced licking and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing.

Materials and methods

Three and a half kilos of P. bleo leaves were extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with ethanol for 72 h. The crude ethanol extract was treated with activated charcoal overnight and subjected to a liquid–liquid partition yielding hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol extracts. All extracts, including the crude ethanol and vitexin isolated from the ethyl acetate partition were tested for peripheral anti-nociceptive activity using formalin test and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, besides having their acute toxicity assays performed.

Results

The phytochemical analyses resulted in the isolation of vitexin (1), β-sitosterol glucoside (2) and β-sitosterol (3) isolated from the ethyl acetate, dichloromethane and hexane extracts, respectively. This is the first time vitexin and β-sitosterol glucoside are isolated from this species. The anti-nociceptive activities for all extracts were only moderate. Vitexin, which was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract did not show any activity in all models tested when used alone at the same concentration as it appears in the extract.

Conclusion

This study showed that all the extracts possess moderate anti-nociceptive activity. Vitexin is not the compound responsible for the anti-nociceptive effect in the ethyl acetate extract. Further investigations are needed to identify the compound(s) that might be responsible for the anti-nociceptive activity in this plant.     

The analgesic,antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity of Diospyros variegata Kruz

Pharmacological studies were conducted with the hexane extract of the dry stem of Diospyros variegata Kruz. (Ebenaceae) on experimental animals for evaluating the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities. In the analgesic test, the hexane extract elicited inhibitory intensity on acetic acid-induced writhing response and on the late phase of formalin test but possessed only a weak effect on the tail-flick response and on the early phase of formalin test. The hexane extract also elicited antipyretic action when tested in yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats. In addition, the hexane extract showed an anti-inflammatory effect when tested in ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP)- and arachidonic acid (AA)-induced rat ear edema.     

Antimalarial and safety evaluation of extracts from Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae)

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Toddalia asiatica (L) Lam. (Rutaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used in Kenya by many communities for the treatment of malaria and other ailments. All parts of the plant are claimed to have medicinal value, but the root bark in particular is believed to be more potent. Decoctions or infusions of the roots are taken orally to treat malaria, fever and stomach ache.

Aim of the study

To evaluate antimalarial activity of aqueous and organic extracts prepared from Toddalia asiatica and determine in vitro and in vivo safety of the extracts.

Materials and methods

Aqueous, ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol extracts were obtained from Toddalia asiatica root bark, fruits and leaves. In vitro antiplasmodial activity was done using chloroquine-sensitive (D6) and chloroquine-resistant (W2) Plasmodium falciparum strains and the concentration causing 50% inhibition of radioisotope incorporation (IC₅₀) was determined. In vivo assay was done by administering mice infected with Plasmodium berghei four consecutive daily doses of the extracts through oral route following Peters 4-Day suppressive test. The percentage suppression of parasitaemia was calculated for each dose level by comparing the parasitaemia in untreated control with those of treated mice. Quinine hydrochloride was used as positive control while double distilled water or 20% Tween-80 was used as a negative control. In vivo acute toxicity was determined in mice using standard procedures. In vitro cytotoxicity assay was carried out using actively dividing sub-confluent Vero cells.

Results

Inhibitory concentrations of ethyl acetate extract of Toddalia asiatica fruits showed high activity against chloroquine resistant (W2) strains of Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀=1.87 μg/ml), followed by root bark aqueous extract (IC₅₀=2.43 μg/ml). Tested in vivo against Plasmodium berghei, the fruit ethyl acetate extract (500 mg/kg) and root bark aqueous extract (250 mg/kg) reduced malaria parasitaemia by 81.34% and 56.8% respectively. Higher doses were found to be less effective in vivo. Acute toxicity and cytotoxictiy of the tested extracts, with the exception of hexane extract from the roots, showed LD₅₀>1000 mg/kg and CC₅₀>100 μg/ml respectively.

Conclusions

The results obtained contribute to the validation of traditional use of Toddalia asiatica and provides in vivo and safety data of the plant extracts tested for the first time. Ethyl acetate extract of the fruits was active against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum as well as against Plasmodium berghei. These findings confirm the suitability of Toddalia asiatica as a good candidate for further tests to obtain a prototype for antimalarial medicine.     

Antiplasmodial and antipyretic screening of Mangifera indica extract

The stem bark extract of Mangifera indica was evaluated for antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis. The extract was also screened for antipyretic activity in mice. The extract exhibited a schizontocidal effect during early infection, and also demonstrated repository activity. A reduction in yeast-induced hyperpyrexia was also produced by the extract. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficacy and Safety of White Willow Bark (Salix alba) Extracts

Willow bark extract has been used for thousands of years as an anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic. In spite of its long history of use, relatively few human and animal studies have been published that confirm anecdotal observations. A small number of clinical studies have been conducted that support the use of willow bark extracts in chronic lower back and joint pain and osteoarthritis. Willow bark extracts also are widely used in sports performance and weight loss products presumably because of anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities, although no human studies have been published that specifically and directly document beneficial effects. In recent years, various in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that the anti‐inflammatory activity of willow bark extract is associated with down regulation of the inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor‐α and nuclear factor‐kappa B. Although willow bark extracts are generally standardized to salicin, other ingredients in the extracts including other salicylates as well as polyphenols, and flavonoids may also play prominent roles in the therapeutic actions. Adverse effects appear to be minimal as compared to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs including aspirin. The primary cause for concern may relate to allergic reactions in salicylate‐sensitive individuals. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cytotoxic Properties of the Stem Bark of Citrus reticulata Blanco (Rutaceae)

The bioassay‐guided fractionation of the n‐hexane extract of Citrus reticulata Blanco (Rutaceae) stem bark yielded scoparone (1), xanthyletin (2), lupeol (3), β‐amyrin (4), stigmasterol (5), β‐sitosterol (6) and palmitic acid. The structures of these compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, i.e., 1D and 2D NMR and EI‐MS, and by comparison with the reported data. Extracts, fractions and isolated compounds 1–6 were assessed for cytotoxicity by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐dphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay against three human cancer cell lines, i.e., human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549, human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF7 and human Caucasian prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC3. Significant activity of the n‐hexane and the dichloromethane extracts was observed against the breast cancer cell line MCF7 with IC₅₀s of 45.6 and 54.7 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the 70% ethyl acetate in n‐hexane chromatographic fraction showed significant activity displaying IC₅₀ values of 53.0, 52.4 and 49.1 μg/mL against the cancer cell lines A549, MCF7 and PC3, respectively. Encouragingly, an IC₅₀ of 510.0 μg/mL against the human normal prostate cell line PNT2 indicated very low toxicity and hence favourable selectivity indices for the 70% ethyl acetate in n‐hexane fraction in the range of 9.6–10.4 towards cell lines A549, MCF7 and PC3. Because compounds isolated from the above fraction only delivered IC₅₀ values in the range of 18.2–96.3, 9.2–34.1 and 7.5–97.2 μg/mL against A549, MCF7 and PC3 cell lines, respectively, synergistic action between compounds is suggested. Bioassay results valorize the anticancer effectivity of the stem bark of this plant in Cameroonian pharmacopoeia. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analgesic effect of extracts from Cotula cinerea (L)

Ethyl ether, ethyl acetate and n‐butanol extracts of Cotula cinerea were administered to mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg in order to study their analgesic effects. Only the ethyl ether extract showed a significant effect. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Anti-diarrhoea and analgesic activities of the methanol extract and its fractions of Jasminum amplexicaule Buch.-Ham. (Oleaceae)

Jasminum amplexicaule Buch.-Ham. (Oleaceae) has been commonly used in the traditional medicine in dysentery, diarrhoea and bellyache in China. In the present work, the methanol extract of Jasminum amplexicaule and different fractions of this extract were studied for anti-diarrhoea and analgesic activities. The anti-diarrhoea activities were investigated using castor oil-induced, magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea models, antienteropooling assay and gastrointestinal motility models in mice. The analgesic activities were studied using hot-plate, writhing and formalin models in mice. At the doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg, the methanol extract (ME) showed significant and dose-dependent anti-diarrhoea and analgesic activity in these models. The chloroform fraction (CHF), ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and the residual methanol fraction (RMF) exhibited similar activity using a dose of 200mg/kg in these models. The pharmacological activities of the n-butanol fraction (BUF) were lesser than the ME extract and other fractions. These results may support the fact that this plant is traditionally used to cure diarrhoea and pain.     

Antiinflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of the organic extracts of Tanacetum microphyllum DC. in rats

Extracts of Tanacetum microphyllum DC. (Compositae) have been investigated for antiinflammatory and anti-ulcerogenic activity in the rat. In adjuvant-carrageenan-induced inflammation (ACII), orally administered organic extracts of T. microphyllum (hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol) inhibited both the acute and chronic phases of this experimental model of inflammation, but mainly the chronic phase; the dichloromethane extract was as effective as phenylbutazone. Prior oral administration of T. microphyllum organic extracts prevented the ulcerogenic effect of orally administered indomethacin. Again, the dichloromethane extract exhibited the greatest activity.     

Antipyretic and analgesic studies of the ethanalic extract of Teclea nobilis delile

The crude ethanol extract of the leaves of an African medicinal plant Teclea nobilis has been studied for its antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The extract exhibited marked antipyretic and analgesic activities while it was found to be weakly active against carrageenin oedema.     

Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of the extract of gamboge from Garcinia hanburyi Hook f

In Thai folklore medicine, gamboge, the yellow gum-resin secreted from Garcinia hanburyi, is used for infected wound, pain and edema The ethyl acetate extract from Garcinia hanburyi (GH5763) was assessed for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities using experimental animal models. It was found that GH5763 possessed inhibitory activity on acute phase of inflammation as seen in ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced ear edema and carrageenin-induced hind paw edema in rats. However, GH5763 did not elicit any inhibitory effect on arachidonic acid-induced hind paw edema. In subchronic inflammatory model, GH5763 provoked a significant reduction of both transudative and proliferative phase when tested on cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. GH5763 also reduced the alkaline phosphatase activity in serum of rats in this animal model. In the analgesic test, GH5763 elicited inhibitory activity on acetic acid-induced writhing response and on both the early and the late phase of formalin test. Moreover, GH5763 also possessed an excellent antipyretic effect when tested in yeast-induced hyperthermic rats. It is postulated that the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of GH5763 are caused by the inhibition of the prostaglandin biosynthesis.     

Evaluation of analgesic, antipyretic activity and toxicity study of Bryonia laciniosa in mice and rats

Analgesic, antipyretic activity and toxicity study of the leaves of Bryonia laciniosa Linn. (Family: Cucurbitaceae) was evaluated in the standard animal models. The methanol extract of Bryonia laciniosa (MEBL) was evaluated by hot plate and acetic acid-induced writhing methods to assess analgesic activity. The antipyretic activity of the extract was also evaluated by normal body temperature and yeast-induced hyperpyrexia. The extract showed significant analgesic and antipyretic activity. The MEBL was further evaluated for toxicity at the doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg administered orally for 14 days in rats. At the end of experiments, the blood, liver function and kidney metabolism were observed. The hematological profile and different biochemical parameters such as SGOT, SGPT and ALP were estimated. The present study revealed that MEBL exhibited significant analgesic and antipyretic activity in the tested experimental animal models. The toxicity study indicates that the extract is not toxic at the tested doses.     

Antioxidant and antihepatotoxic activities of Phellinus rimosus (Berk) Pilat

The antioxidant and antihepatotoxic activities of a wood inhabiting macrofungus, Phellinus rimosus were studied. The superoxide anion scavenging, Fe(2+)-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation inhibiting, hydroxyl radical scavenging and nitric oxide scavenging activities of the ethyl acetate extract were determined. The results indicated that ethyl acetate extract of P. rimosus exhibited significant in vitro antioxidant activity. The ethyl acetate extract of P. rimosus also showed potent antihepatotoxic activity against carbontetrachloride-induced acute toxicity in rat liver. The amelioration of liver toxicity by the ethyl acetate extract was evident from its significant effect on the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results suggest that hepatoprotective effect of P. rimosus is possibly related to the free radical scavenging activity.     

Analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic activities of Sida cordifolia

Sida cordifolia extracts of the aerial and root parts showed good analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic activities. The ethyl acetate (EA) extract of root (SCR-E) showed comparable antiinflammatory activity with indomethacin and possessed significantly higher activity when compared with that of the methanol extract of the root part (SCR-M). The ethyl acetate extract of both root and aerial parts of Sida cordifolia (SCR-E and SCA-E) showed very good central and peripheral analgesic activities at a dose of 600 mg/kg. The methanol extract of root (SCR-M) was found to possess significant hypoglycaemic activity.     

A pharmacological study of Araujia sericifera B. extracts in rodents

The present study analyses the pharmacological activity in in vitro and in vivo models of different extracts obtained from Araujia sericifera. The hexane extract of fruits lacked toxicity, but exhibited an analgesic effect in models of chemical and thermal stimulation. Such an extract was the only one which exhibited antiinflammatory actions. The intrinsic effect on arterial blood pressure was biphasic: at low doses it significantly increased blood pressure, whereas at high doses it exerted the opposite effect. On isolated organs it produced a marked decrease in the maximum effect of histamine and acetylcholine. The dichloromethanol extract of fruits decreased arterial pressure and the maximum effect of histamine. The methanol extract of fruits slightly depressed the CNS. An analgesic effect was noted following chemical stimulation; the maximum effect of serotonin was significantly decreased. The dichloromethanol extract of seeds markedly decreased arterial pressure and the maximum effect of acetylcholine and serotonin. The methanol extract of seeds exerted an analgesic effect after chemical stimulation and modified the maximum effect of noradrenaline and serotonin.     

Biological activities and safety of Thanaka (Hesperethusa crenulata) stem bark

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The stem bark powder of Hesperethusa crenulata or Thanaka has been used on the face by Myanmar women for more than a thousand years as a skin care regiment.

Aim of the study

The aim of the current study was to both verify the safety and evaluate some biological activities of the Thanaka bark.

Materials and methods

Maceration of the Thanaka bark powder resulted in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol, 85% ethanol and water extracts. For the safety evaluation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of each extract were tested. Antibacterial, tyrosinase inhibition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated for each extract.

Results and conclusions

Extracts from Thanaka bark showed strong anti-inflammatory, significant antioxidation, mild tyrosinase inhibition and slight antibacterial activities. All extracts and the original bark powder showed no detectable genotoxicity while very low cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of more than 12 mg/ml was detected in the water extract. Thus, the use of the Thanaka bark in the form of a watery paste as a skin care regiment is not only safe but also beneficial to skin.     

Cytotoxic, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Varthemia iphionoides Boiss. extracts

The hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, ethanol and water extracts of aerial parts of Varthemia, Varthemia iphionoides, were investigated for cytotoxic activity against human myelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells; DPPH radical-scavenging activity; antioxidative activity in the linoleic acid system; reducing power; antibacterial activity; the contents of phenolic compounds. A pronounced cytotoxic effect on human leukemia (HL-60) cells was shown in the hexane, chloroform and ethanol extracts, with inhibition of 89.0, 68.4 and 62.3%, respectively, at a concentration of 200 microg extract/ml. High DPPH radical-scavenging activity, antioxidative activity in the linoleic acid system and reducing power were found in the water and ethanol extracts, and were correlated to the contents of phenolic compounds. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella enteritides was shown in the ethyl acetate and chloroform extracts. A compound responsible for the antibacterial activity was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract, and identified as 3-oxocostusic acid.