Antinociceptive Effect of the Ethanol Leaf Extract of Balanites aegyptiaca Linn in Albino Rats

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca is a medicinal plant that has been used in a variety of folk medicines in India and Africa for the treatment of different ailments such as syphilis, jaundice, liver and spleen problems, epilepsy, yellow fever. This research aimed at investigating the phyt ochemical constituents, acute toxicity, anti inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanol extract of Balanites aegyptiaca (EEBA) leaves. The plant material was extracted using ethanol as solvent. The dried ethanol extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals; Acute toxicity (LD50) was  determined using Lorke’s method while anti inflammatory and antinociceptive activities were evaluated using hot plate and tail immersion methods in albino rats. Results of the study revealed that phyto chemical constituents such as flavonoids, carbohydrates, saponins and glycosides were found in the EEBA, intraperitoneal LD 50 of 2154 mg/kg shows the substance is non toxic. The EEBA produced significant (p <0.05) and dose dependent anti inflammatory and a ntinociceptive activities at all test doses (200, 400 and 600 mg/kg). The presence of the phytochemicals detected might be responsible for the demonstrated anti inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in the plant extract.

Keywords: Phytochemical, Anti inflammatory, Antinociceptive , Balanites aegyptiaca