Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of N-buthanol Portion of Acacia nilotica Pods in Mice and Wistar rats.

Abstract

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the n-buthanol fraction of Acacia nilotica pods (BF ANP) is investigated in this study. The fraction was subjected for: Phytochemical screening, which revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannin,saponnin, glycosides while the acute toxicity studies showed a relative LD 50 of 565mg/kg (ip). The fraction showed both central and peripheral analgesic activity. In the acetic acid-induced writhing test used to determine peripheral analgesic activity, the BF ANP at the 160,80,40 mg/kg dose inhibits writhing, comparable to reference drug ketoprofen (10 mg/kg) which are all statistically significant (P≤0.001).In central analgesic activity using hot plat method, BF ANP  produced central analgesic activity in a dose-dependent manner by elongation of hot plat time when compared to the standard drugs pentazocine. Both BF ANP and pentazocine inhibit significantly licking activity in the formalin-induced pain in mice. Anti-inflammatory activity in the rat paw edema model, BF ANP produced a significant reduction in carrageenan-induced paw edema (p≤0.05). BF ANP when compare to standard drugs ketoprofen is as potent as standard drugs. This study demonstrated that BF ANP possesses significant anti-inflammatory and both central and peripheral analgesic activity due to presence of flavonoids tannin and saponin in that active portion.