Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of Securidaca longepedunculata (Fresen.) [Polygalaceae] root-bark aqueous extract

• Published in: Inflammopharmacology 2008-08, Vol.16 (4), p.174-181
• Main Author: Ojewole, J. A. O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergology; Analgesics - administration & dosage; Analgesics - isolation & purification; Analgesics - pharmacology; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - isolation & purification; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blood Glucose - drug effects; Dermatology; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Gastroenterology; Hypoglycemic Agents - administration & dosage; Hypoglycemic Agents - isolation & purification; Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology; Immunology; Inflammation - drug therapy; Male; Medicine, African Traditional; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Pain - drug therapy; Pain Measurement; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Roots - chemistry; Polygalaceae; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Research Article; Rheumatology; Securidaca; Securidaca - chemistry; South Africa
• ISSN: 0925-4692; 1568-5608
• DOI: 10.1007/s10787-007-0016-7

. The present study was undertaken to investigate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties of Securidaca longepedunculata (Fresen.) root-bark aqueous extract (SLE) in mice and rats. The analgesic effect of SLE was evaluated by ‘hot-plate’ and ‘acetic acid’ analgesic test methods in mice; while its anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects were examined in rats, using fresh egg albumin-induced pedal oedema, and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus models. Morphine (MPN, 10 mg/kg), diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg) and chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs for comparison. SLE (50–800 mg/kg i. p.) produced dose-dependent, significant (p < 0.05–0.001) analgesic effects against thermally- and chemically-induced nociceptive pain in mice. The plant’s extract (SLE, 50–800 mg/kg p. o.) also dose-dependently and significantly inhibited (p < 0.05–0.001) fresh egg albumin-induced acute inflammation, and caused significant hypoglycaemia (p < 0.05–0.001) in normal (normoglycaemic) and STZ-treated diabetic (hyperglycaemic) rats. The results of this experimental animal study indicate that S. longepedunculata root-bark aqueous extract (SLE) possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties. These findings lend pharmacological credence to the anecdotal, folkloric and ethnomedical uses of S. longepedunculata root-bark in the treatment, management and/or control of painful, arthritic, inflammatory conditions, as well as in the management and/or control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in some rural communities of South Africa.