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Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the hydroethanolic extract of a polyherbal preparation (<i>Cov-Pla 2</i>) in laboratory animals


Kennedy Iliya Amagon
Kakjing Dadul Falang
Bukata Bayero Bukar
Ukpe Ajima
Noel Nen’man Wannang
Jacob Adegboyega Kolawole
James Garba Damen
Yusuf Amuda Agabi
Richard Joseph Kutshik
Ishaya Yohanna LONGDET Longdet
Simji Samuel Gomerep
Ismaila Shittu
Stephen Daniel Davou

Abstract

Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease-2019 include pulmonary hyper-inflammation; managing local and systemic inflammatory responses may be key in treatment. This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects of a mixture (Cov-Pla 2) containing five medicinal plants in laboratory animals. The antinociceptive activity of Cov-Pla 2 was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, Brewer’s Yeast Pyrexia test in rats and hot plate tests in mice. The egg albumin-induced rat paw oedema test was employed to evaluate the extract’s anti-inflammatory activity. The extract produced a dose-dependent (125-500 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibition of pain response elicited by acetic acid, compared to normal saline and increased reaction latency in the hot plate test. The antiinflammatory test showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in paw size diameter at 125 mg/kg from 2 hours, compared to control. In the antipyretic test, the extract produced a significant (P<0.05) time-dependent decrease in rectal temperature at 125 mg/kg after 2 and 3 hours and at 250 and 500 mg/kg after 3 hours, compared to normal saline. The extract did not produce mortality up to 5000 mg/kg per oral. The results indicated that the extract possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, which support its recommendation for trials in the treatment of symptoms associated with COVID-19.


Keywords: COVID-19; Inflammation; Nociception; Polyherbal; SARS-CoV-2


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eISSN: 0189-8442