ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF THE METHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF SECURINEGA VIROSA (EUPHORBIACEAE)

The methanolic leaf extract of Securinega virosa was evaluated for possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in rodents. Acetic acid induced writhing test in mice and formalin-induced pain in rats were used to study the analgesic effect, while the effect of the extract on acute inflammation was investigated on carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. The extract significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited acetic acid induced writhing in mice and significantly (P < 0.05) attenuated the neurogenic phase of formalin-induced pain in rats at the highest dose tested. The extract also produced a moderate anti-inflammatory activity which was found to be significant (P < 0.05) at all the doses tested. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins. saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and resins. The intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract in mice was found to be 1,265 mg/kg suggesting that the extract may be relatively safe at the analgesic doses. The results obtained in this study lend credence to the ethnomedical use of the plant in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions.Thus, supporting the development of the biologically active substances as analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents.