Ananas comosus (L) Merrill (pineapple) fruit peel extract demonstrates antimalarial, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in experimental models.

Abstract Ethnopharmacology relevance Pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel is a major waste in pineapple canning industry and it is reported to be used in ethnomedicine as a component of herbal remedies for malarial management. This study aimed to evaluate the antimalarial, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of Ananas comosus peel extract (PEAC). Methods Ananas comosus peel was extracted with 80% methanol. PEAC (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) was investigated for antimalarial effect using Peter's 4-day suppressive test (4-DST) model in mice. Antinociceptive activity of PEAC was investigated in hot plate, acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin tests in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the lipopolysaccharides-induced sickness behavior in mice and carrageenan-induced air pouch in rats' models. Results PEAC could not significantly (p > 0.05) suppressed parasitemia level at 7-day post-infection in 4-DST. PEAC (400 mg/kg) mildly prolongs survival of infected mice up till day 21. PEAC demonstrated significant (p  Conclusion Ananas comosus peel extract demonstrated mild antimalarial activity but significant anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties probably mediated via inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators.