Pharmacological Evidence for the Traditional Use of Gmelina arborea in Pain and Inflammation Management
Albashir Tahir1*, Ibrahim Khaleel Muazu2, Muhammad Muhammad Lawan3, Muhammad Nuruddin Muazu3, Musab Abba Usman2, Muslim Ahmad Muhammad2, Sanusi Ahmad2, Saddam Ahmad2
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria.
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria
| Key words:
Gmelina arborea, analgesic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, phytochemicals, murine models.
*Corresponding author: albashirtahir@sazu.edu.ng; Page No: 270-278 |
AbstractGmelina arborea is widely used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of pain and inflammatory disorders. This study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of its ethanol leaf extract in murine models. Fresh leaves were extracted with 70% ethanol and screened for phytochemicals. Acute toxicity was determined using Lorke’s method. Analgesic activity was assessed via acetic acid-induced writhing and thermal-induced pain tests, while anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using formalin- and carrageenan-induced paw edema models. Diclofenac and pentazocine served as standard drugs. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s post hoc test, with significance at P < 0.05. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, and saponins. The extract showed a high safety margin, with an LD₅₀ of ~3808 mg/kg. In the writhing test, doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg inhibited abdominal constrictions by 20.00%, 33.33%, and 51.85%, respectively. In the thermal pain model, 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly increased reaction latency, indicating central analgesic activity. In the formalin model, all doses reduced paw swelling, with higher doses showing stronger effects. In the carrageenan model, 500 and 1000 mg/kg significantly reduced edema at 60 min. Ethanol leaf extract of G. arborea possesses dose-dependent peripheral and central analgesic activities and moderate anti-inflammatory effects, supporting its traditional use and potential development as a plant-based therapeutic for pain and inflammation.
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