Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the aqueous extract of Cussonia paniculata stem Bark

The aqueous extract of the stem bark of Cussonia paniculata was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in animal models. The extract at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight reduced significantly, the formation of oedema induced by carrageenan and histamine. In the acetic acid-induced writhing model, the extract showed a good analgesic effect characterized by reduction in the number of writhes when compared to the control. The extract caused dose-dependent decrease of licking time and licking frequency in rats injected with 2.5% formalin, signifying its analgesic effect. These results were also comparable to those of indomethacin and cyproheptadine, the reference drugs used in this study. Acute toxicity test showed that the plant caused 80% mortality in rats hence it is a toxic plant. Though the study has provided some justification for the folkloric use of the plant in several communities for conditions such as stomach-ache, pain and inflammations but caution should be exercised in its use for medicinal purpose.