Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F. Macbr. (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) root extract exhibits anti-nociceptive and antipyretic activities in murine models.
BACKGROUND
The root extract of Albizia zygia (DC.) J.F. Macbr. (Leguminosae-Mimosoideae) is traditionally used in the management of pain and fever. However, little scientific data exists in literature to support its use.


OBJECTIVE
The present study evaluated the anti-nociceptive and antipyretic properties of the hydroethanolic extract of the roots of Albizia zygia in animal models.


METHODS
The analgesic effects were investigated in chemical (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing and formalin tests), thermal (tail-immersion test) and mechanical (carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia) pain models. Possible mechanisms of anti-nociception were also assessed with antagonists in the formalin test. The anti-pyretic effect was evaluated using the baker yeast-induced pyrexia model in young rats.


RESULTS
The extract (30-300mg/kg, p.o.) and positive controls, diclofenac (3-30mg/kg, i.p.) and morphine (1-10mg/kg, i.p.), significantly (at least P<0.01) attenuated acetic acid-induced visceral pain, formalin- induced paw pain (both neurogenic and inflammatory), thermal pain as well as carrageenan-induced mechanical hyperalgesia in animals. The anti-nociceptive effect of the extract was reversed (at least P<0.05) by the pre-emptive administration of naloxone and atropine; the administration of theophylline, however, exhibited no significant (P>0.05) inhibition of anti-nociception. The extract (30-300mg/kg, p.o) and paracetamol (15-150mg/kg, p.o.) both reversed yeast-induced pyrexia in rats with ED50values of 48.59±2.59 and 26.19±1.33mg/kg respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that the extract possesses significant anti-nociceptive and antipyretic effects which justify its traditional use in the management of pain and fever. Also, anti-nociceptive effect of the extract involves opioidergic and muscarinic cholinergic mechanisms.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Electronic address: wkm_abotsi@yahoo.com.
Wonder Kofi Mensah
WK
Abotsi
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Electronic address: babewhyte@gmail.com.
Stanley Benjamin
SB
Lamptey
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Electronic address: ebgyasi.pharm@knust.edu.gh.
Eric
E
Boakye-Gyasi
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Electronic address: ewoode.pharm@knust.edu.gh.
Eric
E
Woode
D031289:Albizzia; D000700:Analgesics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D058633:Antipyretics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007887:Fabaceae; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000700:Analgesics; D058633:Antipyretics; D010936:Plant Extracts
Acetic acid (PubChem CID: 176); Albizia zygia; Atropine (PubChem CID: 174174); Baker's yeast; Diclofenac sodium (PubChem CID: 5018304); Formalin; Morphine hydrochloride (PubChem CID: 5464110); Naloxone (PubChem CID: 5464092); Opioidergic; Pain; Paracetamol (PubChem CID: 1983); Pyrexia; Theophylline (PubChem CID: 2153); carrageenan salt (PubChem CID: 6850766)