Abstract:
Rhus natalensis and Senna singuaenae are traditional African plants commonly
used as medicinal plant in East Africa for the management of pain. The plants are
used for management of rheumatism among others. This study investigated the
antinociceptive activities of R. natalensis and S. singuaenae in Swiss albino mice
using the tail-flick and hot plate tests. Extract solvent (vehicle), morphine and
aspirin were employed as controls. Root extract of R. natalensis (100 and 200 mg /
kg) and 100 mg /kg of S. singuaenae showed no significant antinociceptive activity
in the hot plate while the 200mg /kg of S. singuaenae showed significant antinociceptive
activity (p<0.05). In the tail flick tests, root extract of R. natalensis (100 and
200 mg / kg) showed highly significant antinociceptive activity (p<0.01) while
200mg / kg of S. singuaenae showed significant antinociceptive activity (p<0.05)
compared to the controls. The 100 mg /kg of S. singuaenae showed no significant
antinociceptive activity in the tail flick. This study lends support to the anecdotal
evidence for use of R. natalensis and S. singuaenae in the management of painful
conditions.
