In vivo anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Piper sarmentosum.

• Main Authors: Zakaria, Zainul Amiruddin, Patahuddin, H., Tengku Mohamad, Tengku Azam Shah, Israf Ali, Daud Ahmad, Sulaiman, Mohd Roslan
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Elsevier 2010
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15175/1/In%20vivo%20anti-nociceptive%20and%20anti-inflammatory%20activities%20of%20the%20aqueous%20extract%20of%20the%20leaves%20of%20Piper%20sarmentosum..pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15175/; http://www.elsevier.com

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Piper sarmentosum (Piperaceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used by the Malays to treat headaches, toothaches, coughs, asthma and fever. Aim of the study: In order to establish the pharmacological properties of the leaf of this plant, studies were performed on anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Materials and methods: The aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum (AEPS) was prepared in the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. Anti-nociceptive activity of AEPS was evaluated by abdominal constriction and hot-plate tests. AEPS was also pre-challenged with 5 mg/kg naloxone to determine the involvement of opioid receptors. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced paw edema assay. Results: Subcutaneous administration of AEPS exhibited anti-nociceptive activity (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner in the abdominal constriction and hot-plate tests. Pre-treatment with naloxone completely (P<0.05) diminished the extract anti-nociceptive activity in both tests. The AEPS, at all doses used, exerted significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: The AEPS exhibits opioid-mediated anti-nociceptive activity at the peripheral and central levels, as well as anti-inflammatory activity, which confirmed the traditional uses of the plant in the treatment of pain- and inflammatory-related ailments.