Evaluation of the Analgesic Activity of the Aqueous and Hydroethanolic Extract from Crinum scillifolium Bulbs (Amaryllidaceae)

Aims: Crinum scillifolium is a plant in the family Amaryllidaceae. The present study aimed to evaluate a possible analgesic activity of an aqueous and hydroethanolic extract of Crinum scillifolium bulbs.

Study Design: This is an experimental study involving the extraction of the bioactive agents from Crinum scillifolium bulbs using water and hydroethanolic solution and the evaluation of the analgesic activity.

Place and Duration of Study: Study was carried out in Laboratory of Biochemical pharmacodynamics and laboratory of clinical and therapeutic pharmacology, University Felix Houphouet Boigny between September and October 2017.

Methodology: For this purpose, two methods were used for the evaluation of the analgesic activity. The acetic acid-induced writhing test was used for peripheral analgesic activity and tail immersion for central analgesic activity. Swiss albino mice were used as an animal model. Extracts were administered orally at 100 and 200 mg/kg.

Results: The extracts and aspirin (150 mg/kg) produced a significant (P ≤ 0.001) inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing test. The hydroethanolic extract produced significant dose-dependent (P≤ .001) reduction the number of writhes with peak effect (91.16 % inhibition) produced at the highest dose of 200 mg/kg. This effect was comparable with that produced by aspirin (86.61 % inhibition). The aqueous extract at a dose range of 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively decreased abdominal writhing induced by the acetic acid at a rate of 59.83 % and 58.83 %. For the evaluation of central analgesic activity, the administration of both extracts increased tail stretch reflex time but the results were not statistically significant compared to the control.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Crinum scillifolium bulbs possess peripheral analgesic properties, supporting the traditional use of those plants in pain.