Analgesic, Anti‐Inflammatory, Antipyretic, and Antioxidant Activity of Lophopetalum wightianum Leaf Extract: A Phytochemical and Biological Study

Lophopetalum wightianum Arn. has previously been identified as a medicinal plant reported to contain promising anti‐inflammatory and anticancer compounds, including lupeol and pristimerin. Compared to other species of the Lophopetalum genus, L. wightianum remains largely unstudied, and this study aimed to assess the analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic, and antioxidant potential of the methanolic extract of its leaves and undertake a phytochemical investigation. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the crude extracts indicated the presence of steroids, triterpenoids, and fatty acid esters. Lupeol, a triterpenoid, was isolated from the hexane fraction of the bark. In the writhing test of analgesic potential, 400 and 500 mg/kg dose groups of the leaf extract showed reduced mean writhing counts of 35.60 ± 0.87 ( p < 0.01) and 27.20 ± 1.59 ( p < 0.001), respectively, compared to the control group (42.20 ± 1.16). At the 500 mg/kg dose, the extract reduced licking duration by 40.09 ± 0.02% in phase one and 44.66 ± 0.01% in phase two of the licking test. Significant protection level (38.21 ± 1.56%, p < 0.001) was observed in the hotplate test at a dose of 500 mg/kg at 0.5 h, which was close to diclofenac sodium (40.70 ± 1.10%). A dose‐dependent effect was evident in the writhing, licking, and hotplate tests. In the anti‐inflammatory test, the highest anti‐inflammatory effect (36.79 ± 0.01%) was observed at 3 h at the highest dose, and a dose‐dependent effect was apparent. Finally, in the antipyretic activity test, the crude extract was most effective at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Overall, the findings indicate the presence of potential therapeutic bioactive compounds in the plant.