title: Evaluation of the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Caralluma dalzielii.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Caralluma dalzielii has been used for treating several ailments including convulsion, leprosy, snake bites, otitis (ear pain), fungal diseases and rheumatoid arthritis in Northern Nigeria. However there is no scientific evidence to support its use in literature. To evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of Caralluma dalzielii in animal models.
  
  
  METHODS
  The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties were assessed using acetic acid induced writhing test in mice, sub plantar formalin induced nociception, the tail-flick test and formalin induced oedema in rats. Three doses of the extract (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) were used for the assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caralluma dalzielii extract demonstrated strong dose-dependent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in all the models employed. All doses (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) produced a significant percentage inhibition (41.77, 77.11, and 90.76% in the early phase and 52.02, 85.35, 93.93% in the late phase) in the acetic acid writhing test and (42.85, 55.71, 86.43% in the early phase and 23.26, 37.98, 72.87 in the late phase) in the formalin induced nociception test, respectively. The tail-flick test showed a significant increase in the antinociceptive effect of the extract in both early and late phases when compared with the control. The inhibition of oedema in the formalin test was significant when compared to the control.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that Caralluma dalzielii showed excellent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties suggesting that its traditional use in the treatment of pains and inflammatory diseases may be valid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, P.M.B. 2346 Sokoto, Nigeria. Electronic address: nenye789@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Chinenye J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Ugwah-Oguejiofor
authors.forename: Kabiru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.forename: Michael O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Ugwah
authors.forename: Anoka A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Njan
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029062:Apocynaceae; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019342:Acetic Acid
keywords: Anti-inflammation; Antinociception; Caralluma dalzielii; Medicinal plant; Phytochemistry