Hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst Ex A. Rich (Rhamnaceae) exhibits anti-nociceptive effects in murine models

Abstract

BackgroundDespite substantial advances in pain research and treatment, millions of people continue to suffer from pain and this has been attributed mainly to the unavailability of effective and safer analgesics. The use of plants as medicines is still widespread and plants constitute a large source of novel phytocompounds that might become leads for the discovery of newer, effective and safer alternatives. Various parts of Ziziphus abyssinica have been used in folk medicine in several African countries as painkillers. However, there is no report on the possible anti-nociceptive effects of this plant especially the leaves, hence the need for this current study.MethodsThe possible anti-nociceptive activity of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica (EthE) was assessed in rodents using chemical (acetic acid, formalin and glutamate), thermal (tail-immersion test) and mechanical/inflammatory (carrageenan) models of nociception.ResultsEthE (30-300 mg/kg, p.o.) dose-dependently and significantly inhibited chemical-induced nociception with a maximum inhibition of 86.29 ± 2.27%, 76.34 ± 5.67%, 84.97 ± 5.35%, and 82.81 ± 5.97% respectively for acetic acid, formalin (phase 1), formalin (phase 2) and glutamate tests at its highest dose. EthE also dose-dependently and significantly increased reaction times in both tail-immersion and carrageenan-induced hypernociceptive tests. The activities of the extract in the various models were comparable with the effect of morphine hydrochloride and diclofenac sodium used as standard analgesic drugs.ConclusionOral administration of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica ameliorates nocifensive behaviours associated with chemical-, thermal- and mechanical/inflammatory - induced nociceptive pain.

Possible mechanisms involved in the anti-nociceptive effects of hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of Ziziphus abyssinica

“…Root extracts have been reported to possess anti-ulcerogenic ) and antidiarrheal properties. Our earlier research validated the analgesic effect of the hydro-ethanolic leaf extract of the plant in murine models (Boakye-Gyasi et al 2017). Qualitative phytochemical investigations have revealed that the aqueous and methanol fruit extracts of Z. abyssinica contain saponins, tannins, sterols and steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids and reducing compounds (Nyaberi et al 2010).…”

“…Also the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, anthraquinones and steroids were detected in Z. abyssinica aqueous root extract . Hydroethanolic leaf extract of the plant has been reported to contain tannins, phenols, alkaloids, triterpenes, flavonoids and phytosterols (Boakye-Gyasi et al 2017).…”

Antinociceptive effects of an ethanolic extract of Desmodium adscendens: possible involvement of opioidergic, adrenergic, potassium channels and serotoninergic pathways

“…This suggests that DAE may have a direct effect on nociceptors associated with the early phase of the test. Additionally, the inhibition of pain in the second phase may be due to a modulatory effect on the release and/or synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators [33] or subsequent cerebrospinal processing of pain after activation of the nociceptors.…”

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Ghanaian Medicinal Plants

“…dose-dependently inhibited acetic acid-, formalin-and glutamate-induced nociception with maximal inhibition of 86.29 ± 2.27%, 84.97 ± 5.35%, and 82.81 ± 5.97% respectively. The paw withdrawal latencies in both tail-immersion and carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia were also prolonged [109]. Moreover, the root extract reversed hyper-nociception induced by intra-plantar injection of TNF-α, IL-1β, bradykinin and prostaglandin E 2 via interactions with opioidergic, adenosinergic, ATP-sensitive potassium channels and nitric oxide cyclic GMP pathways [110].…”