In Rodents, Methanol Extract from Ritchiea capparoides leaf has Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antipyretic Properties

Background: Ritchiea capparoides leaves are traditionally used in Southern Nigeria to cure fever, snake bites, aches, and malaria. Consequently, the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties of Ritchiea capparoides leaf ethanol extract were assessed in rodents in this work.

Methods: Using acetic acid and tail immersion models in mice, the analgesic effect was investigated, and xylene, egg-albumen, brewer's yeast, and dinitrophenol models were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties in mice and rats at doses of 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg of the methanol extract. The plant's leaf extract was also subjected to oral acute toxicity testing and phytochemical screening.

Results: At p<0.05 and p<0.01, the methanol leaf extract and the common medication (aspirin) considerably reduced the amount of writhes brought on by acetic acid. The reaction times of the tested agent's standard and extract groups significantly increased. The extract significantly reduced oedema in the egg-albumin-induced paw oedema model, with dose-related inhibition of p<0.05 and p<0.01, similar to aspirin. When compared to dexamethasone, Ritchiea capparoides leaf extract likewise showed a significant p<0.05 and p<0.01 effect in the xylene-induced mouse ear oedema test. Rats with pyrexia caused by dinitrophenol and Brewer's yeast both showed a statistically significant decrease in rectal temperatures. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and cardiac glycosides are all present in the methanol leaf extract. It was discovered that the oral acute toxicity testing were more than 5000 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The findings supported the traditional use of R. capparoides as a medicine by demonstrating the plant's possible analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties at the tested concentrations of methanol leaf extract.