The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2020;9(5):300-307 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2020.9502

Research Article

Antinociceptive effects of methanolic extracts of Pistacia aethiopica and Warbugia ugandensis in mice

Ireri Moses Munene¹ , Njagi Eliud Nyaga Mwaniki¹ , Ngugi Mathew Piero¹

Ireri Moses Munene,Njagi Eliud Nyaga Mwaniki,Ngugi Mathew Piero

1. Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Microbiology School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, P.O. Box 43844- 00100, Nairobi, Kenya

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 15th July, 2020 / Accepted: 12th September, 2020

Abstract

Pistacia aethiopica and Warbugia ugandensis are medicinal plants used in folk medicine among the Embu, Kenya. Despite being in use since antiquity, no empirical data is available to validate their claimed use in pain management. This study evaluated the antinociceptive effects of methanolic extracts of these plants in mice. Qualitative phytochemical profile of the methanolic extracts was also established. The antinociceptive studies used formalin pain model. Harbone and Kotaki protocols for qualitative phytochemical screening were used. Stem bark extracts of P. aethiopica inhibited paw licking in mice by between 47.24% 55.13% in the early phase and by between 30.69%-52.12% in the late phase. W. ugandensis leaf extracts inhibited paw licking by between 38.45%- 51.85% in the early phase and by between 43.48%-65.61% in the late phase. Diclofenac sodium inhibited paw licking by between 30.33%- 30.36% in the early phase and by between 62.93% and 77.08% in the late phase. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and terpenoids. This study established existence of antinociceptive effects in the methanolic extracts of P. aethiopica and W. ugandensis in mice. The observed effects were ascribed to the presence of phytochemicals working individually or synergistically.