Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of Nothospondias staudtii

The aqueous (AENS), methanolic (MENS) and chloroform (CENS) extracts of the leaves of Nothospondias staudtii Engl (Anacardianceae) were screened for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in mice and rats. Pain responses were studied in mice using the tail immersion and acetic acid induced writing while carrageenan induced paw oedema was used to access anti-inflammatory activity. The three extracts exhibited significant analgesic compared with the control (saline, 10ml/kg) as evidenced by (i) increased escape latency in the tail immersion assay (ii) reduction in abdominal writhing induced by acetic acid. The analgesic activity were higher in MENS & CENS compared to aspirin (150mg/kg). The extracts progressively reduced rat paw oedema induced by subplantar injection of carrageenan, the methanolic extract showing more pronounced effect than the aqueous and chloroform extracts. Preliminary phyto-chemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, sugars, proteins and anti-oxidants in the extracts. Key words: Nothospondias staudtii, inflammation,, analgesic activity, alkaloid Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 102-10