ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THE AERIAL PART OF DYSCHORISTE PEDICELLATA C.B CL. (ACANTHACEAE)

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the aerial part of 70% aqueous 
ethanol extract of Dyschoriste pedicellata. 
Background of the study: Dyschoriste pedicellata plant is used in ethno-medical practice in Africa 
for the treatment of fever and pains. No scientific data confirming its use in the treatment of pain and 
inflammation has been reported.  
Place and duration: This study was conducted in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kaduna 
State University from April to December 2019. 
Methodology: The preliminary phytochemical screening of the 70% aqueous ethanol extract of D. 
pedicellata was performed according to standard procedures. The acute toxicity studies was carried 
out using OECD method. : The analgesic activity study was carried out using acetic acid-induced 
abdominal writhing in mice, hot plate test in mice and formalin-induced hind paw licking in rats, while 
the effect of the extract on inflammation was carried out using Carrageenan-induced paw oedema in 
rats. 
Results:  70% aqueous extract of D. pedicellata was found to contain flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids 
and deoxysugar. The extract produced a significant (p< 0.001) and dose-dependent inhibition of the 
acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and increased the threshold for pain perception dose
dependently in the hot plate test in mice. The extract also produced a significant (p< 0.05) decrease in 
a dose-dependent in paw oedema in Carrageenan-induced oedema. There is also a significant (p<0.05) 
inhibition in nociceptive response especially in the late phase in formalin-induce paw licking at dose
dependent manner. 
Conclusion: The aqueous ethanol extract of D. pedicellata possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory 
properties which may be attributed to the phytochemical constituents.