EVALUATION OF ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANTIPYRETIC ACTIVITIES OF THE N-BUTANOL FRACTION OF UAPACA TOGOENSIS PAX IN MICE AND RATS

Abstract

The stem bark and leaves of the plant Uapaca togoensis are widely used traditionally in the management of common
ailments including rheumatism, fever and pain. This study was aimed at evaluating the analgesic, antipyretic and
anti-inflammatory activities of the butanol fraction of Uapaca togoensis stem bark (BFUT) in mice and rats.
Phytochemical screening and oral median lethal dose (LD 50) estimation of BFUT in rats and mice were carried out.
Analgesic effects of the fraction at doses of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg were investigated using acetic acid-induced
abdominal writhes and thermal-induced tests in mice while rats were used for the formalin induced pain test.
Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated at the same doses using Brewer׳s yeast induced pyrexia
and carrageenan-induced paw oedema tests respectively in rats. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) using Lorke’s
method was found to be above 5000 mg/kg in both animal species. BFUT at doses 500 and 1,000 mg/kg
significantly (p<0.05) decreased acetic acid induced abdominal writhes and increased the mean reaction time of
mice to thermal-induced pain stimulus. At the same doses of 500 and 1,000 mg/kg, BFUT produced a significant
(p<0.05) decrease in rectal temperature and paw oedema. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of
alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and triterpenes. The findings suggest that the n-
butanol fraction of Uapaca togoensis possesses anti-nociceptive, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities.