In vivo anti‑inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the aerial part extract of Dicliptera laxata

Introduction: Dicliptera laxata (Acanthaceae) is a perennial herb with stems creeping and rooting and its aerial parts are used for the treatment of headache, by using the nasal route of administration. A blood red decoction of the aerial part of D. laxata is taken for orofacial inflammation. Aims: In the present study, the in vivo anti‑inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the aqueous aerial part extract of D. laxata were investigated. Materials and Methods: The anti‑inflammatory effect was evaluated using the carrageenan‑induced mouse pedal (paw) edema model, while the formalin test in mice was employed to study the antinociceptive activity. Results: Administration of 400 mg/kg p.o. of the aqueous extract of the aerial parts of D. laxata produced significant (P < 0.05 − 0.01) anti‑inflammatory effects against carrageenan‑induced acute inflammation and formalin‑induced nociceptive pain stimulus in mice. Bioassay‑guided fractionation of the total extract indicated that the water fraction was by far the most potent in both models. Conclusions: The present findings indicate that D. laxata possesses genuine anti‑inflammatory and antinociceptive properties, lending pharmacological support to the folkloric or anecdotal use of the plant in the treatment and/or management of painful inflammatory conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the extracts and isolated compound (DL-1) of D. laxata. Key words: Anti‑inflammatory, antinociceptive, Dicliptera laxata