Mechanistic assessment of the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions of Dalbergia saxatilis in animal models

Abstract

Context: Aqueous root extract of Dalbergia saxatilis, Hook, f., (Leguminosae) (DS) is reported useful for toothache, pains, and fever, but not scientifically proven.

Objective: This study determined its effectiveness in pain, inflammation, and fever, applying scientific models.

Materials and methods: Swiss mice or Sprague–Dawley rats (n = 5) were pretreated with distilled water, DS (100 or 200 mg/kg), or standard drug for 30 min. The analgesic activity was measured by acetic acid writhing, tail flick, tail immersion, tail clip, hot plate, and formalin pain tests; anti-inflammatory effects were determined via carrageenan and dextran rat paw oedema tests; antipyretic activity was measured by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (ECL) and turpentine in rabbits, and d-amphetamine sulphate (d-AS) pyrexia test in rats.

Results: Writhing frequency inhibition was produced by 200 mg/kg DS (33.10%), aspirin (38.19%) and morphine (93.68%). Unlike morphine, DS did not produce significant prolongation of the reaction times in the hot-plate, tail immersion, tail flick, and tail clip tests. In the first and second phases of formalin test, respectively, % inhibition was: 200 mg/kg DS (25.70% and 0%), aspirin (4.76% and 67.33%), morphine (81.42% and 66.11%); for carrageenan and dextran tests, significant difference was recorded between 200 mg/kg DS and control up to 6 h. Significant reduction in ECL, turpentine and d-AS pyrexia was recorded at 100 and 200 mg/kg DS.

Conclusion: DS produces mild non-steroidal analgesic and anti-inflammatory, as well as significant antipyretic actions involving cyclooxygenase, α₂ adrenoceptor and interleukin-1 β1 due to any of glycosides, saponins or phenolic tannins.

Keywords:

• Writhing test
• formalin test
• dextran
• carrageenan
• amphetamine
• yohimbine
• turpentine
• lipopolysaccharide
• phenolic tannins

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mrs Esther O. Ayorinde of the Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, for her technical assistance.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.