School of Health Sciences (Western Campus)

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Browsing School of Health Sciences (Western Campus) by Subject "Acute toxicity,"

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    A study of the acute toxicity, phytochemical and analgesic properties of the aqueous root extract of flueggea virosa (family: euphorbiaceae)
    (Kampala international international: School of Health Sciences, 2010-04) Kezia, Matuki Eunice
    Introduction/Objectives: Fluegge a virosa grows wild in tropical Africa, Arabian Peninsula, tropical Asia, Japan, Australia and Polynesia, and it can also be domesticated. The different parts of the plant have many folkloric usage for diverse ailments including pain, fever, malaria, sexual dysfunction, diabetes, epilepsy, antiarrhythmic, HIV -related illness among many others. The root is claimed to be the most potent part of the plant. In view of the claimed therapeutic potentials, investigation of the aqueous extract of the root was carried out to ascertain its acute toxicity, phytochemical constituents and analgesic activity. Methodology: The plant material was extracted using decoction method since this is how it is used locally. Acute toxicity tests were conducted in rats using modified Lorke' s method to determine the safety of the extract. Phytochemical screening was conducted using methods outlined in Trease and Evans to determine the components of the extracts. Analgesic studies were carried out using thermal induced pain (tailflick method) and chemical induced pain (formalin) in rats by giving extracts orally at 100, 200 and 400mglkg of body weight. Results: Acute toxicity tests did not record any death among the different groups of rats used. Phytochemical tests showed the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and reducing sugars. Analgesic studies (thermal induced pain-tailflick method) showed some activity, which tested insignificant to ANOVA test and chemical induced pain (formalin) showed good activity and tested significant to ANOVA test. Conclusion: The aqueous root extract of Flueggea virosa has many useful phytochemical constituents. Acute toxicity tests indicated that the extract could be generally regarded as safe. The extract has a dose dependent analgesic effect which is perhaps not centrally mediated. Thus the results provide support for the use of the plant in relieving pain and fever among the natives in rural areas. Keywords: Flueggea virosa; Phytochemicals; Pain; Analgesic; Toxicity.