Comparative Phytochemical, Safety, and Analgesic Evaluation of Selected
African Medicinal Plants in Swiss Albino Mice

Tahir, Albashir; Abba Usman, Musab; Khaleel Muazu, Ibrahim; Muhammad Lawan, Muhammad; Ahmad Muhammad, Muslim; Ahmad, Sanusi; Ahmad, Saddam

doi:https://doi.org/10.61882/rabms.11.4.390

Volume 11, Issue 4 (11-2025) Journal of Research in Applied and Basic Medical Sciences 2025, 11(4): 390-397 | Back to browse issues page

‎ https://doi.org/10.61882/rabms.11.4.390

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Tahir A, Abba Usman M, Khaleel Muazu I, Muhammad Lawan M, Ahmad Muhammad M, Ahmad S et al . Comparative Phytochemical, Safety, and Analgesic Evaluation of Selected African Medicinal Plants in Swiss Albino Mice. Journal of Research in Applied and Basic Medical Sciences 2025; 11 (4) :390-397
URL: http://ijrabms.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-455-en.html

Comparative Phytochemical, Safety, and Analgesic Evaluation of Selected African Medicinal Plants in Swiss Albino Mice

Albashir Tahir ^*

, Musab Abba Usman

, Ibrahim Khaleel Muazu

, Muhammad Muhammad Lawan

, Muslim Ahmad Muhammad

, Sanusi Ahmad

, Saddam Ahmad

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Sa'adu Zungur University, Bauchi State , albashirtahir@sazu.edu.ng

Abstract: (123 Views)

Background Moringa oleifera, Anogeissus leiocarpus, and Commiphora africana are medicinal plants traditionally
used for managing pain and inflammation. Despite documented pharmacological properties, the comparative evaluation
of their analgesic activities using standardized peripheral and central pain models is limited.This study evaluated and
compared the analgesic activities, phytochemical profiles, and acute toxicity of methanol extracts of M. oleifera seeds,
A. leiocarpus leaves, and C. africana leaves in Swiss albino mice.
Methods Plant materials were extracted with methanol and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. Acute
oral toxicity was evaluated using Lorke’s method. Analgesic effects were evaluated using the acetic acid-induced
writhing assay and the hot plate method at doses of 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg (i.p.). Piroxicam (10 mg/kg) and
pentazocine (1 mg/kg) served as standard drugs.
Results All extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins, with terpenoids detected only in M.
oleifera and steroids only in A. leiocarpus. LD₅₀ values were > 5000 mg/kg for M. oleifera and A. leiocarpus, and
1264.9 mg/kg for C. africana. In the acetic acid-induced writhing assay, a significant, dose-dependent reduction
in abdominal constrictions was observed in the extract-treated group. Similarly, in the hot plate test, all extracts
significantly prolonged reaction latencies, with C. africana at 600 mg/kg approaching the activity of pentazocine.
Conclusion Methanol extracts of M. oleifera, A. leiocarpus, and C. africana possess significant peripheral and central
analgesic activities, likely mediated by their bioactive phytoconstituents. The study supports their ethnomedicinal use
in pain management and highlights C. africana’s potent central analgesic activity but narrower safety margin. Further
bioassay-guided and mechanistic studies are warranted.

Keywords: Acute toxicity, Analgesic activity, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Commiphora africana, Moringa oleifera, Phytochemicals

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Type of Study: orginal article | Subject: Other

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