Volume 18, Issue 42, July - December, 2024

In experimental animals, Medicago sativa ethanol leaf extract reduces pains and inflammation

Anele Donatus Onyebuchi¹, Ofonakara Uzochukwu², Nwokike Matthew Onyemaechi^3,4, Austin-Abu Jane Uchenna⁵, Asogwa Rosemary Ekene⁶, Igwe Divine Okemefuna⁷, Ajegi Innocent Fountain⁸, Ofor Casimir Chijioke⁹, Akuodor Godwin Christian^8♦

¹Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
²Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal Univrsity Ndufu-Alaike, Ikwo Ebonyi State, Nigeria
³Department of Pharmacology, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria
⁴Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kabale University, Uganda
⁵Haematology and BGS Unit, Medical Laboratory Services, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria
⁶Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
⁷Department of Physiology, David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Nigeria
⁸Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria
⁹Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

^♦Corresponding author
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The well-known medical herb Medicago sativa has long been recommended as a pain reliever. In this work, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the leaf were examined in rodents. The analgesic effect of the leaf extract was screened in mice and rats using acetic acid-induced writhing, and formalin paw edema models; the antiinflammatory properties of the methanol extract were investigated in mice and rats using xylene and carrageenan models at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 150 mg/kg, and distilled water (20 mL/kg). In addition, phytochemical screening and oral acute toxicity testing were carried out on the leaf extract. At the studied dosage, the M. sativa leaf ethanol extract showed a dose dependent analgesic effect. At 150 mg/kg, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) also showed a notable reduction in discomfort. The considerable reduction in the tested indices of pains indicates the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of M. sativa leaf extract. The results suggest a possible direction for more research into Medicago sativa as a natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic.

Keywords: Medicago sativa; Analgesic; Inflammation; Ethanol leaf extract; Rodent models

Drug Discovery, 2024, 18(42), e16dd1991

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v18i42.e16dd1991

Published: 16 August 2024