Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of Jateorhiza macrantha (Menispermaceae)

Jateorhiza macrantha (Hook. f.) Exell and Mendonça (Menispermaceae) is a common medicinal plant found in tropical Africa. Jateorhiza macrantha is used as an anti-hemorrhagic, to combat syphilis and headache [1]. This study was performed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of extract. The analgesic activity of the methanolic extract of Jateorhiza macrantha was investigated using the acetic acid induced (chemical) and tail-clip (mechanical) models of nociception and the anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. In acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract at doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05, 0.01) reduced the writhing reflex in a dose dependent manner In the application of the metal artery clip unto the tail of animals, the extract caused a significant (P < 0.05) dose dependent increase in reaction latency with peak effect (7.0%) inhibition produced at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg. In the carrageenan induced paw oedema test, different doses of the extract produced a dose dependent significant ( P < 0.05, 0.01, 0.001) inhibition of oedema. The results obtained in this study lend credence to the ethnomedical use of the plant in the management of pain and inflammatory conditions; thus, supporting the development of the biologically active substances as analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents. Reference: [1] Burkill, H.M. (1985). The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. Families M – R. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom. 2nd Ed. Vol. 4 p. 143.