A Study Of The Acute Toxicity, Phytochemical And ~: , Analgesic Properties Of The Aqueous Root Extract Of ~ Flueggea Virosa (Family: Euphorbiaceae)

ABSTRACT

Introduction/Objectives: Fluegge a virosa grows wild in tropical Africa, Arabian

Peninsula, tropical Asia, Japan, Australia and Polynesia, and it can also be

domesticated. The different parts of the plant have many folkloric usage for diverse

ailments including pain, fever, malaria, sexual dysfunction, diabetes, epilepsy,

antiarrhythmic, HIV -related illness among many others. The root is claimed to be the

most potent part of the plant. In view of the claimed therapeutic potentials,

investigation of the aqueous extract of the root was carried out to ascertain its acute

toxicity, phytochemical constituents and analgesic activity.

Methodology: The plant material was extracted using decoction method since this is

how it is used locally. Acute toxicity tests were conducted in rats using modified

Lorke' s method to determine the safety of the extract. Phytochemical screening was

conducted using methods outlined in Trease and Evans to determine the components

of the extracts. Analgesic studies were carried out using thermal induced pain (tailflick

method) and chemical induced pain (formalin) in rats by giving extracts orally at

100, 200 and 400mglkg of body weight.

Results: Acute toxicity tests did not record any death among the different groups of

rats used. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids,

cardiac glycosides and reducing sugars. Analgesic studies (thermal induced pain-tailflick

method) showed some activity, which tested insignificant to ANOVA test and

chemical induced pain (formalin) showed good activity and tested significant to

ANOVA test.

Conclusion: The aqueous root extract of Flueggea virosa has many useful

phytochemical constituents. Acute toxicity tests indicated that the extract could be

generally regarded as safe. The extract has a dose dependent analgesic effect which is

perhaps not centrally mediated. Thus the results provide support for the use of the

plant in relieving pain and fever among the natives in rural areas.