EVALUATION OF ANALGESIC, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND TOXIC EFFECTS OF LANTANA CAMARA L.

Abstract

Lantana camara has been used traditionally to manage several diseases such as wound healing, inflammation and pain. However, its efficacy and safety has not been scientifically evaluated and clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity as well as toxicity of aqueous extract of the plant using animal models. The anti-inflammatory activity assay was carried out using carrageenan induced lung edema and pleurisy mice. Analgesic effect assay was carried out using formalin pain test while the safety of this aqueous plant extracts was determined by intraperitoneal administration of 450, 670 and 1000 mg daily for 28 days after which the changes in selected organ and body weight, hematological and biochemical parameters were determined. Both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition was determined using standard procedures. The doses showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity and minimal toxic effects. Phytochemical analysis showed that the extract contained various amount of tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. Therefore, the extract may possess substances with antiinflammatory, analgesic and minimal toxic effects. The result from this study supports traditional use of this plant for pain and inflammatory ailments. It also serves as awake up call for researchers to do more and establish its mode of action and to elucidate the metabolites responsible for theses effects in hope of developing a novel remedy for these signs and symptoms.