Assessing the Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Anthocleista grandiflora Wood Bark Crude Extract in Albino Rats

Abstract

Pain is an unpleasant sensation induced on the body in response to inflammation of tissues. To reduce or stop a painful sensation, a group of drugs broadly classified as pain relievers are administered. The current study aimed at assessing the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the methanol extract of Anthocleista grandiflora wood bark crude extract using albino rats as the animal models. Samples of the wood bark were collected from a forest in Keana LGA of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, processed and extracted in methanol to obtain the crude extract. The phytochemical composition of the extract as well as the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties were analyzed following standard procedures. A total of 25 adult albino rats were randomly grouped into five groups of 5 rats each for both the analgesic and anti-inflammatory studies. Results of the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides in large amounts. While saponins and steroids in small amounts and alkaloids, glycosides, anthraquinones, phlobatamins and anthracyanine were absent. The results showed a significantly (p<0.05) high analgesic potential of different doses of the extract (50mg/kg body weight) and 100mg/kg bw at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 hours compared to the control group. Analysis of anti-inflammatory potential showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher anti-inflammatory properties by the extracts (50mg/kg and 100mg/kg bw) compared to the control. The outcomes revealed that the plant extract may possess good analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which may be attributed to the phytochemical compounds present in the extract.