EVALUATION OF THE ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF THE ROOT OF MIMOSA PIGRA LINN (FABACEAE) IN ALBINO RATS

Objective: Mimosa pigra roots are used in traditional medicine in the treatment of fever, headaches and cold. This study investigated the ethanol extract of the root of Mimosa pigra for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in albino rats.Methods: The analgesic activity was evaluated by radiant heat tail flick method while the anti-inflammatory effect was investigated using fresh egg albumin induced paw edema in rats. The plant extract was evaluated at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. All administrations were done through the oral route.Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening showed that the extract contains; steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phlobatanins, saponins. The LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. The results showed that oral administration of 250 mg/kg of Mimosa pigra showed significantly (P<0.05) analgesic activity in30, 60 and 150 minutes while 500 mg/kg produced significantly (P<0.05) analgesic activity in 30, 60, 120 and 150 minutes. The two tested doses (250 mg/kg and500 mg/kg) were found to produce percentage inhibition of rat paw edema (42.60% and 49%) at 150 minutes compared to the positive control group of 63.20%.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the ethanol extract of this plant possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.Â