ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC SEED EXTRACT OF STERCULIA VILLOSA ROXB.

objective: To scientifically validate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of methanolic seed extract of Sterculia villosa Roxb. (SVME) inanimal models.Methods: Analgesic activity of SVME was evaluated by the hot plate-induced pain model, acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing response, andformalin test in mice at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. A carrageenan-induced paw edema model was also used to evaluate anti-inflammatorypotential of SVME in rats at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg.Results: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoid, gums and carbohydrates, steroids, alkaloid, reducing sugar, and terpenoids insignificant amounts. The SVME produced significant analgesic activity in the hot-plate test in mice at all the time points measured. Extracts of 250 and500 mg/kg reduced dose-dependent acetic acid-induced writhing by 40.2% (p<0.01) and 59.8% (p<0.001), respectively. Significant inhibitionof formalin-induced pain was also observed, with inhibition of 62.1% (p<0.001) and 66.7% (p<0.001) in the early phase at dosages of 250 and500 mg/kg, respectively, and 64.4% (p<0.01) and 70.3% (p<0.01) in the late stage at these dosages. SVME pretreatments showed significant antiinflammatoryactivityagainstcarrageenan-inducededema at all the time points measured.Conclusion: The results suggest that SVME possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These findings provide support use of this plant intraditional medicine to treat pain and inflammation.Keywords: Sterculia villosa Roxb., Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Carrageenan.Â