Abstract

Ipomeoa asarifolia has been used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments including dysmenorrhea, without scientific verification of its effects. Phytochemical studies were carried out on samples of I. asarifolia to determine its pharmacognostic profile. Acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, formalin-induced pain and egg-albumin induced inflammatory tests in rats were employed to investigate anti-nociceptive and anti inflammatory properties of 70% methanolic extract of leaves. Alkaloids, saponin and phenols were present. The extract doses of 100 – 400 mg/kg i.p. significantly (P < 0.05) reduced inflammation and pain at the late phase of the process. The derived LD₅₀ was 1,732.1 mg/kg i.p. These results justify the ethnomedicinal uses of the plant for pain relief and anti inflammation.

Key words:     Ipomoea asarifolia, anti-nociception, anti-inflammation, phytochemistry.