Preliminary studies on anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Salpichroa rhomboidea Miers extract

Objective: To study the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of a fraction obtained from the ethanolic extract of Salpichroa rhomboidea Miers aerial parts. Material and methods: Wild samples of Salpichroa rhomboidea Miers plants were collected at the flowering stage, powdered and then extracted with ethanol. The alcohol extract was partitioned by liquid-liquid chromatography and the fractions obtained evaporated to dryness. The residues were suspended and tested for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin rat paw oedema test, and for analgesic activity in Randall and Selitto test and in Tail-flick test. 24 h after the treatment, the gastric mucosa of each rat was observed macroscopically. Result: Results show interesting peripheral analgesic activity and good central analgesic activity but a lack of anti-inflammatory activity for Salpichroa extract. In rats treated with the tested compounds hyperaemia and ulcers were absent. Conclusion: This preliminary study shows the potential of Salpichroa extract, due to marked analgesic activity and the absence of gastric ulcerogenic activity.