European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic extract of Phyllanthus acidus (Family: Phyllanthaceae) leaves on swiss albino mice.

Study Design: The extract was divided into two concentrations (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight) and was used for the examination of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities on swiss albino mice.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh, from July to December 2015.

Methodology: The analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing method, formalin induced paw licking method, tail immersion method and eddy’s hot plate method. Carrageenan induced hind paw edema was performed to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity.

Results: The extract exhibited significant (P < .001) inhibition of writhing at the dose 200 mg/kg body weight compared to control in acetic acid induced writhing method. In formalin induced paw licking method, both the early and late phases significantly (P < .001) increased analgesia in a dose dependant manner. The extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight was highly significant (P < .001) at 1h interval as compared to control in both tail immersion and eddy’s hot plate method and inhibited 52.94% and 50% analgesia respectively. In anti-inflammatory activity test, the crude extract was highly significant (P < .001) and inhibited inflammation with time in a dose dependant manner.

Conclusion: Our study reveals that P. acidus leaves extract possess significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity and the dose 200 mg/kg body weight is more significant than 100 mg/kg body weight in all of the methods.