Anti-Inflammatory and Sedative Effects of Intra-Peritoneal Administration of Methanolic Extract of Securidacalonge pedunculata Root in Albino Rat

Objectives: The methanolic extract of the root bark of Securidaca longipedunculata Fres (Polygalaceae) was evaluated for anti-inflammatory and sedative activities in albino wistar rats using intraperitoneal route. Methodology: Anti-inflammatory activity was determined by inducing inflammation in the paw of rats by sub-plantal injection with fresh undiluted egg albumen and after thirty minutes, inhibition of inflammation was assessed by changes in paw diameter at hourly intervals. Sedative activity was assessed by determining the effect of the extract on length of diazepam-induced sleeping time. Results: Results of the present study revealed that, the extract possess anti-inflammatory and sedative activities in the third hour. Conclusion: The extract has been established to have analgesic effect, and in this study to have anti-inflammatory property with central sedative effect. This indicates that the extract may have analogous mechanism of action with narcotic analgesics. The study therefore affirms the traditional use of the plant for the same purpose and can be adopted as an alternative therapy in various inflammatory conditions