Analgesic (Antinociceptive) Property of Moringa oleifera Ethanol Leaf Extract in Albino Rats

Aim: This study investigated the analgesic property of ethanol leaf extract of Moringa oleifera (ELMO) in rats.

Study Design: Different rat models (acetic acid, tail flick and tail immersion) were employed. The study was carried out in the Physiology Laboratory of the Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, between July and December, 2013.

Methodology: 42 albino Rats were used for each experimental model. Varying doses of ELMO: 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg were administered orally to rats in different groups. The negative control group received 0.2ml normal saline while Aspirin (10mg/kg) and Dicloferanc Potassium (2mg/kg) were used as reference drugs.

Results: ELMO exerted a dose dependent reduction in number of writhes per time in the acetic acid model as the varying doses used inhibited the number of writhes observed in the negative control group by 33.33, 57.84, 67.16 and 66.67% respectively. ELMO also increased reaction times in the tail flick and tail immersion models with 400mg/kg producing inhibition ratios of 10.05 and 11.51 respectively. Results in the treated groups were significantly (P<0.05) different from that of the negative control group and compared favorably with those of Aspirin and Diclofenac Potassium.

Conclusion: The experiments hence indicate that ELMO could contain principles with strong analgesic properties and seems promising in the search for new analgesic agents with minimal side effects and high potency for the relief of all forms of pain.