ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF THESPESIA POPULNEA

The methanolic extract of Thespesia populnea leaves (METP) was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. For evaluation of inflammation carrageenan induced paw edema served as acute model and formaldehyde-induced arthritis served as a chronic model in rats. The acetic acid-induced writhing response, reaction time in hot plate test and formalin-induced paw licking time in the early and late phases of mice were used to assess analgesic activity. METP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were significantly (p<0.01) inhibiting carrageenan induced paw edema as well as formaldehyde-induced arthritis dose dependently. In addition, METP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p<0.01) attenuated the writhing responses induced by an intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid and late phase of pain response induced by an subplantar injection of formalin in mice. METP (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p<0.01) also increased reaction time in hot plate test. The results of the experimental study support the traditional use of Thespesia populnea leaves for inflammatory and pain disorders.