Ugwah-Oguejiofor C.J., Abubakar K., Ugwah M.O., Njan A.A.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria
Ugwah-Oguejiofor, C.J., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria; Abubakar, K., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria; Ugwah, M.O., Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria; Njan, A.A., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria
Ethnopharmacological relevance Caralluma dalzielii has been used for treating several ailments including convulsion, leprosy, snake bites, otitis (ear pain), fungal diseases and rheumatoid arthritis in Northern Nigeria. However there is no scientific evidence to support its use in literature. To evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of Caralluma dalzielii in animal models. Materials and methods The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were assessed using acetic acid induced writhing test in mice, sub plantar formalin induced nociception, the tail-flick test and formalin induced oedema in rats. Three doses of the extract (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) were used for the assessment. Results Caralluma dalzielii extract demonstrated strong dose-dependent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in all the models employed. All doses (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) produced a significant percentage inhibition (41.77, 77.11, and 90.76% in the early phase and 52.02, 85.35, 93.93% in the late phase) in the acetic acid writhing test and (42.85, 55.71, 86.43% in the early phase and 23.26, 37.98, 72.87 in the late phase) in the formalin induced nociception test, respectively. The tail-flick test showed a significant increase in the antinociceptive effect of the extract in both early and late phases when compared with the control. The inhibition of oedema in the formalin test was significant when compared to the control. Conclusion The results indicated that Caralluma dalzielii showed excellent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties suggesting that its traditional use in the treatment of pains and inflammatory diseases may be valid. © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
acetic acid; antiinflammatory agent; antinociceptive agent; Caralluma dalzielii extract; formaldehyde; piroxicam; unclassified drug; animal experiment; animal model; antiinflammatory activity; antinociception; Apocynaceae; aqueous solution; article; Caralluma dalzielii; controlled study; male; mouse; nociception; nonhuman; paw edema; reaction time; tail flick test; writhing test; Animalia; Caralluma; Mus; Rattus; Anti-inflammation; Antinociception; Caralluma dalzielii; Medicinal plant; Phytochemistry; Acetic Acid; Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asclepiadaceae; Formaldehyde; Hot Temperature; Male; Mice; Pain; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Rats, Wistar