EVALUATION OF ETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF DIOSCOREA HISPIDA DENNST. FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITIES

Abstract

Dioscorea hispida Dennst. (DSCH) belonging to the family of ‘Dioscoreaceae’ was evaluated by Eddy’s hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing methods to assess its analgesic activity. The extract was also evaluated for its anti- inflammatory activity by subjecting it to ‘carrageenan’ induced paw oedema test for its effect on acute phase inflammation models in rats, as well as analgesic activity in mice. It was found that the extract caused an inhibition on the writhing  response  induced  by  acetic  acid,  in  a  dose  dependent  manner.  200  mg/kg  body  weight  dose  of  DSCH  and indomethacin could block the writhing response by 69.42% and 78.85% (p<0.001) respectively. It was also indicated that the DSCH showed significant (p<0.001) anti-nociceptive action in hot plate reaction time method in mice. This effect was comparable to that of standard drug Pentazocine treated controls, suggesting the central activity of DSCH. The maximum inhibition (57.54%) was obtained at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight dose of DSCH after 3 h of drug treatment in carrageenan induced paw oedema, whereas indomethacin (standard drug) produced 64.56% of inhibition. The results indicate the potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic efficacy of Dioscorea hispida extract on animal models which are comparable with those of standard drugs such as Pentazocine and indomethacin respectively.