Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory (Acute and Sub-Acute) Properties of the Methanol Extract of the Whole Cassytha Foliformis Plant

Résumé

Background: Cassytha filiformis (family Lauraceae) is traditionally used to treat pain and inflammation, but scientific validation is limited. This study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of its methanol whole plant extract.

Methods: The powdered plant was extracted by cold maceration in methanol. Acute oral toxicity was assessed using Lorke’s method. The extract was tested at oral doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, and formalin-induced pain tests in mice. Aspirin (100 mg/kg, oral) and pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) served as positive controls; distilled water (2 ml/kg, oral) was the negative control. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using carrageenan-, dextran-, and formalin-induced paw edema in rats, with indomethacin (10 mg/kg, oral) as the reference drug.

Results: The extract showed no signs of toxicity. It significantly (p<0.05) reduced writhing in the acetic acid model and increased pain threshold in the hot plate and formalin models compared to the control. It also significantly (p<0.05) inhibited paw edema in all inflammatory models, indicating both acute and sub-acute anti-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion: The methanol extract of Cassytha filiformis whole plant possesses significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, supporting its traditional use in pain and inflammation management.