Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of <i>Careya arborea</i> stem bark in experimental animal models

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of methanol extract of Careya arborea (MECA). The effects of MECA on the acute and chronic phases of inflammation were studied in carrageenan, dextran and mediators (histamine and serotonin) induced paw oedema and cotton pellet induced granuloma respectively. Analgesic effect of MECA was evaluated in acetic acid induced writhing and hotplate tests. The anti-oedema effect of MECA was compared with indomethacin 10 mg/kg orally. In acute phase of inflammation a maximum inhibition of 50.56, 48.86, 47.12 and 48.23% (p<0.05) was noted at the dose of 200 mg/kg. b.w. after 3 h of treatment with MECA in carrageenan, dextran, histamine and serotonin induced paw oedema respectively. Administration of MECA (200 mg/kg. b.w.) and indomethacin (10 mg/kg. b.w.) significantly (p<0.05) decreased the formation of granuloma tissue induced by cotton pellet method at a rate of 53.91% and 57.60% respectively. The extract also inhibited peritoneal leukocyte migration in mice. The MECA also produced significant (p < 0.01) analgesic activity in both models.

Keywords: Careya arborea, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, rat, mice

Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 9 2005: 38-43