Journal of
Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy

  • Abbreviation: J. Pharmacognosy Phytother.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2502
  • DOI: 10.5897/JPP
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 234

Full Length Research Paper

Phytochemical and analgesic evaluation of Mondia whytei (hook.f) root

GITHINJI, C. G.1*, P. M. MBUGUA2, T. I. KANUI 3 AND D. K. KARIUKI4
1Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya 2School of Health Sciences, Presbyterian University of East Africa. P. O. Box 387-00902, Kikuyu, Kenya. 3Department of Range and Wildlife Sciences, School of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, South Eastern College University, P. O. Box 170 – 90200, Kitui, Kenya. 4Department of Chemistry, School of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 03 January 2012
  •  Published: 30 April 2012

Abstract

Mondia whytei is a forest floor plant that belongs to Asclepidaceae family. The roots are widely used in African traditional medicine to treat various diseases and conditions that include pain, swelling, postpartum hemorrhage, diabetes mellitus among many other claims. Phytochemical tests were carried out to determine the different chemical constituents of the root skeels of M. whytei. Analgesic activity of the root powder was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carotenoids, flavonoids, steroids and tannins. The root skeels significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of writhes in acetic acid induced writhing test. This reduction was dose-dependent. Therefore, the use of the plant by traditional medical practitioners in the treatment of pain may be justified.

 

Key words: Mondia whytei, roots, phytochemical, writhing test, analgesic.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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