Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Jatropha tanjorensis Leaf Extract in Mice

Abstract

Traditional medicine has employed Jatropha tanjorensis to treat various diseases, especially those accompanied by pain, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This study investigated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Jatropha tanjorensis ethanol leaf extract on rodent models.  Phytochemical and acute toxicity studies were determined by standard methods. Acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking models were used to determine the antinociceptive efficacy, whereas formalin-induced hind paw oedema was employed for the anti-inflammatory study. In each of the assays, groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 received 100, 300 and 600 mg/kg of J. tanjorensis extract and aspirin (150 mg/kg) or Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) correspondingly while group 1 was administered 10 ml/kg physiological saline. J. tanjorensis extract, physiological saline, aspirin (150 mg/kg) or Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) were administered orally 1 hour before the induction of pain or inflammation. The most notable (P < 0.05) reduction of inflammatory response was shown by Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract at 100 mg/kg with 80% inhibition of oedema. In addition, in comparison with the control group, the extract showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in paw licking and writhing in the mice. Flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, tannins, and phenols were detected in the extract. The extract administered at a maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg did not cause any observable toxic effect. J. tanjoreensis leaves have potent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potentials. This validates its traditional usage in pain and inflammation.