The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2020;9(5):371-373 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2020.9514

Research Article

Anti - Nociceptive Potentials of Methanol Extract of Cassia Alata in Experimental Animals

Muhammed Nafiu Negedu^1,2 , Saidi Odoma³ , Idowu Olumorin Owemidu⁴ , Catherine Atede⁵ , Sanni Momoh⁵

Muhammed Nafiu Negedu,Saidi Odoma,Idowu Olumorin Owemidu,Catherine Atede,Sanni Momoh

1. Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba. Nigeria.
2. Institute of System, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
3. Department of Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
4. Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
5. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba. Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 5th September, 2020 / Accepted: 29th September, 2020

Abstract

Cassia alata has been used as an agent for wound healing, anti-bacteria and pain in African traditional medicine. In this study, we aim to investigate the anti- nociceptive properties of Cassia alata to scientifically justify this folkloric claim. Thermal (tail flick test) and chemical (acetic acid induced writhing test) models of nociception were employed, animals were divided into five groups (n=5), the control group was treated with 1 mL/kg of distilled water, reference group received Tramadol 50 mg/kg, while the test groups received graded doses (125,250 and 500 mg/kg) plant extract. The extract produced dose dependent inhibition of the acetic acid in the chemical test. In the thermal test, the extract also dose dependently increased the withdrawal latency as compared to the control. This study showed that the methanol extract of Casia alata leaf produced anti-nociception in models of chemical and thermal pain which justifies its folkloric claim for the treatment of pain.