Planta Med 2009; 75 - PJ202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1235007

Medicinal plants used in traditional pain management in Jos, Nigeria

A Agunu 1, GD Dafam 2, DC Kagaru 2
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy and Drug Development, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria

Pain management is a concern in many diseases. A survey was conducted on various medicinal plants used in management of pain in Jos, North-central, Nigeria. Five of the commonly used plants; Amaranthus viridis Linn (seeds) (Amaranthaceae) [AV], Paullinia pinnata Linn (stem bark) (Sapindaceae) [PP], Solanum incanum Linn (whole plant) (Solanaceae) [SI], Ximenia americana Linn (stem bark) (Olacaceae) [XA] and Fadogia agrestia Schweinfurth (leaves) (Rubiaceae) [FA] where evaluated for analgesic activity (acetic acid- induced writhing assay [1] and hot-plate method [2]) in mice and compared with standard drugs (aspirin and morphine). Phytochemical screening [3] of the various plants showed tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, anthraquinones and cardiac glycoside. Only tannins and flavonoids were common to all the plants. Ethanolic extracts of the plants at 100 and 200mg/kg were administered orally and compared with standard drugs. In the acetic acid-induced writhing assay the order of activity was XA>AV>PP>SI>FA. Activity of XA, AV and PP was significant (P<0.05) compared to aspirin. On the other hand, in the hot-plate method, the order of activity was PP>XA>AV>SI>FA. Similarly to the acetic acid assay, the activity of XA, AV and PP was significant (P<0.05) compared to morphine. These findings support the traditional use of these plants in pain management in Jos, Nigeria.

References: [1] Tjolsen, A., Berge, O. G., et al. (1992) Pain. 51:5.

[2] Turner, R.A. (1965) Screening methods in Pharmacology. Academic press, New York, p 158.

[3] Sofowora, A. (1993) Standardization of herbal medicine. In: medicinal plants and traditional medicine in Africa. Spectrum

Book Limited, Lagos, Nigeria. pp. 56–61.