Acute Toxicity, Analgesic Potential and Preliminary Antimocrobial Studies of the Aqueous Plant Extract of Spilanthes Filicaulis

Abstract

The contribution of natural products to modern medicine is well known. Though hundreds of plants are used in the world to prevent or cure diseases, the scientific evidence for their use has not been obtained in most cases. This study was therefore carried out to provide scientific proof for the use of Spilanthes filicaulis in conditions associated with pains and infections. Results from this investigation showed that the aqueous extract of Spilanthes filicaulis possesses a dose-dependent analgesic activity (100 – 400 mg/kg). It also inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonae but not Bacillus Subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus at this dose range. Given orally, L₅₀ was 6.92 g/kg in mice. The plant may therefore be useful in alleviating pain. In addition, it may have potential as an anti-infective agent. Further work needs to be done to confirm this.

KEY WORDS: Acute toxicity, analgesia, antibacterial action.

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4(1) 2005: 30-34