Anti-inflammatory, Antinociceptive, and Antioxidant Potentials of Algerian Zizyphus jujuba Mill. Fruits and Leaves In Vivo and In Vitro in Different Experimental Models

The ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts, leaves, and fruits, of Zizyphus jujuba Mill. were studied in vivo and in vitro for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties, respectively. A preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out. It revealed the presence of several phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, phenols, and alkaloids. The acute toxicity study was conducted using a limit dose of 2,000mg/kg. The extracts studied showed no signs of toxicity or mortality. Anti-inflammatory activity, assessed by carrageenan-induced paw edema, and antinociceptive activity, assessed by pain-induced acetic acid in mice, were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Moreover, both extracts showed considerable DPPH scavenging activity and β-carotene protective capacity. The present study suggests that leaf and fruit extracts from Zizyphus jujuba have a pharmacological interest probably related to the presence of some bioactive compounds and could be a potential source of antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, and antioxidant agents that should be further investigated.