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Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Hymenodictyon pachyantha K.Krause stem bark

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Abstract

The cost and worrisome toxicities associated with currently available anti-inflammatory drugs necessitate continuous search for more effective, cheap, and safe anti-inflammatory agents. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanol extract of Hymenodictyon pachyantha stem bark (EEHP). The anti-inflammatory activity of EEHP was evaluated by determining its effect on egg albumin–induced rat paw edema, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity, calcium chloride (CaCl2)–induced platelet aggregatory response, and membrane stabilization. The effect of EEHP on acetic acid–induced writhing responses was used as a model for analgesic property. The presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and phenols was detected in EEHP. There was no sign of toxicity and mortality 24 h post-EEHP administration, suggesting that it is safe up to 5000 mg/kg b.w. EEHP significantly inhibited egg albumin–induced rat paw edema, in a dose-dependent manner and in both early and late stages of inflammation. Similarly, EEHP significantly inhibited PLA2 activity and platelet aggregatory response. EEHP also inhibited hypotonic-induced haemolysis by 23.99, 54.99, and 92.68% at 0.2, 0.6, and 1.0 mg/ml respectively. Similarly, EEHP produced 44.64, 58.04, and 70.54% reduction in the number of writhings induced by acetic acid at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg p.o. respectively. These results demonstrated that EEHP has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The results also showed that the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effect may be by inhibiting PLA2 and aggregation of platelets, and stabilization of lysosomal membrane.

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Abbreviations

EEHP:

Ethanol extract of Hymenodictyon pachyantha stem bark

NSAIDs:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

SAIDs:

Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

PLA2 :

Phospholipase A2

COX:

Cyclooxygenase

HRBC:

Human red blood cell

PUFAs:

Polyunsaturated fatty acids

EDTA:

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid

PRP:

Platelet-rich plasma

LOX:

Lipoxygenase

TXA2:

Thromboxane A2

LTs:

Leukotrienes

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Parker E. Joshua, Dr. E.G. Anaduaka, and Mr. Emmanuel Akubunwa of Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Mr. Evans Oswuagwu of Divine Laboratory Nsukka for their technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Emmanuel Chiagozie Aham, Innocent Uzochukwu Okagu & Fred O. C. Nwodo

  2. Department of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Joseph Chinedum Ndefo

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  1. Emmanuel Chiagozie Aham
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  2. Innocent Uzochukwu Okagu
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  3. Fred O. C. Nwodo
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Contributions

The authors’ contributions are as follows: A.E.C and N.O.F.C. designed the study, N.O.F.C., A.E.C., O.I.U and N.J.C. performed the experiments, A.E.C., O.I.U and N.J.C. analysed the data; A.E.C., O.I.U and N.J.C. wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Innocent Uzochukwu Okagu.

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Aham, E.C., Okagu, I.U., Nwodo, F.O.C. et al. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Hymenodictyon pachyantha K.Krause stem bark. Comp Clin Pathol 28, 1779–1790 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-019-03019-5

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