Abstract

Tacca chantrieri Andre is an indigenous perennial of the tropics which is used by local healers to relieve pains of the body and stomach, and as an antidote for food poisoning. The present study was undertaken to investigate the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of T. chantrieri as claimed in traditional medicine. The ethanolic extract of the plant’s rhizome was prepared and tested in experimental animals. It was found that the extract significantly inhibited pain caused by acetic acid injection in the writhing response test in mice and the tail flick test in rats. This finding suggests that the extract exerts analgesic effect through both peripheral and central mechanisms. The analgesic effect was not antagonized by pretreatment with naloxone, an opiod antagonist and this signifies a mechanism other that of the opioid system was utilized. The extract also significantly decreased the yeast-induced hyperthermia in rats. Anti-inflammatory effect of T. chantrieri extract was demonstrated in ethylphenylpropiolate-induced ear edema and formalin tests in mice. These findings indicate that the ethanol extract of T. chantrieri possesses analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects, which is in accord with its use in traditional medicine.

Key words: Tacca chantrieri Andre, analgesic, anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory.