Anti–inflammatory and analgesic activities of Melanthera scandens

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of leaf extract of Melanthera scandens (M. scandens). METHODS: The crude leaf extract (39-111 mg/kg) of M. scandens was investigated for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using various experimental models. The anti-inflammatory activity was investigated using carragenin, egg-albumin induced oedema models, while acetic acid, formalin-induced paw licking and thermal-induced pain models were used to evaluate the antinociceptive property. RESULTS: The extract caused a significant (P<0.05 - 0.001) dose-dependent reduction of inflammation and pains induced by different agents used. CONCLUSIONS: The leaf extract possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects which may be mediated through the phytochemical constituents of the plant.