Abstract

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities of ethanolic extract of Cancrinia discoidea (Ledeb.) Poljak. (EEC) was evaluated. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of EEC, in all the tested dose levels (100 to 300 mg/kg), exhibited significant dose-related inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin induced nociception, exhibited significant dose-related inhibition of carrageenin and serotonin induced paw oedema volumes when compared with the untreated (control) group, also exerted a significant reduction in granuloma weight in the cotton pellet induced granuloma model. Furthermore, EEC presented effective inhibitory effect on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, OH^Ù  radicals. The results described here are the first report of pharmacological studies of C. discoidea and indicate that this plant has antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant activities which support its folk medicine use.

Key words: Cancrinia discoidea (Ledeb.) Poljak., ethanol extract, antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, antioxidant.