Antinociceptive Effects of Methanolic Extracts of Pistacia Aethiopica and Warbugia Ugandensis in Mice

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Date
2020Author
Ireri, Moses Munene
Njagi, Eliud Nyaga Mwaniki
Ngugi, Mathew Piero
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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.
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http://www.phytopharmajournal.com/Vol9_Issue5_02.pdfhttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/20966