Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of 9-Hexacosene and Stigmasterol isolated from Mondia whytei

Abstract

The aim of the study was to ascertain the analgesic properties of Mondia whytei roots and to isolate and characterize the active constituents. Bioactivity guided fractionation of the chloroform root extract yielded stigmasterol and 9-hexacosene. Stigmasterol (15 mg/kg) and 9-hexacosene (30 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.05) inhibited chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid. Stigmasterol (7.5, 15, 30 and 100 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced the time spent in pain behavior in both the early and late phases of the formalin test. 9-hexacosene dose dependently caused significant (p<0.001) antinociceptive effect on the late phase of the formalin test. Co-administration of naloxone failed to antagonize the analgesic activity of stigmasterol and 9-hexacosene in the formalin test. We concluded that both stigmasterol and 9-hexacosene possess potential analgesic effects which are most likely mediated by their anti-inflammatory activities rather than through opioid receptor system.