Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Croton crassifolius ethanol extract.

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Croton crassifolius has been used to treat snake bites, stomach ache, sternalgia, joint pain, as well as pharyngitis, jaundice, and rheumatoid arthritis in traditional Chinese medicine. However, there is no scientific evidence which supports the use in the literature. Aim of the study To investigate the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extract of C. crassifolius . Materials and methods Anti-nociceptive actions of C. crassifolius were assessed in mice using the hot-plate test, acetic acid-induced writhing test, and formalin test. Anti-inflammatory effects of C. crassifolius were determined in three animal models: acetic acid-induced capillary permeability accentuation in mice, carrageenan-induced edema of the hind paw in rats, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation in rats. Results Ethanol extract of C. crassifolius showed no significant anti-nociceptive activity in the hot-plate test. However, extract at dosages of 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced writhing by 28.89% ( P P P P P C. crassifolius extract at dosages of 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced capillary permeability accentuation in mice by 26.18% ( P P P P P P Conclusions These results collectively demonstrate that the ethanol extract of C. crassifolius possesses peripheral anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, providing evidence to rationalize the traditional use of C. crassifolius for the treatment of pain and inflammation.