EVALUATION OF THE ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF Oldenlandia capitellata Kuntze LEAVES IN SWISS ALBINO MICE

Abstract

The Oldenlandia capitellata K. the plant has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for fever, detoxification, pain relief, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, treatment of stomach pain, inflammation, and ulceration of the intestinal tract, among others. In particular, the leaves of O. capitellata are known for their ability to alleviate pain caused by various factors, although its effects have not been experimentally validated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pain-relieving effects of methanol extract of O. capitellata leaves (EtOC). Swiss albino mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (6 mice/group): The control group was given 10 mL/kg of normal saline; the reference drugs group was treated with 10 mg/kg of tramadol (hot plate test and tail-flick test) or 10 mg/kg of aspirin (acetic acid-induced writhing test); test groups treated with 100 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg of EtOC, respectively. The acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, and tail flick test were used to assess the animals' pain response. Administration of EtOC orally significantly increased the latency time of licking the paw compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The number of writhing episodes in 50 minutes decreased after extract administration (p < 0.05). The maximum pain-relieving effect of EtOC (200 mg/kg) was equivalent to that of aspirin (10 mg/kg) or tramadol (10 mg/kg). Therefore, our experiments demonstrated the pain-relieving effects of EtOC. Methanol extract from O. capitellata leaves has the potential to control pain.