In vivo analgesic activity of Salvia wiedemannii Boiss. used in Turkish Folk Medicine

Salvia species belongs to the Lamiaceae are widely distributed in Turkey, 50% of the 89 Salvia species is endemic (1). Various parts of some Salvia species have been reported to have traditional uses (2,3). The common indications include GIT symptoms/disorders (colic, diarrhea, indigestion, and abdominal pain), respiratory tract symptoms/disorders (colds, sore throat, and cough), infections (tuberculosis, bacterial infections, influenza, and parasitic infections), pain (headache and arthralgia), and miscellaneous disorders (diabetes mellitus, liver diseases, barrenness, urticaria, and hemorrhage). In this study the analgesic activity of ethanol, butanol, chloroform and water extracts of S. wiedemannii Boiss. has been evaluated by using tail flick and acetic acid- induced writhing tests. The chloroform extract (500mg/kg, i.p.) obtained from S. wiedemannii showed significant analgesic activity on tail flick assay, its efficacy was very close to morphine. The water, ethanol and butanol extracts showed analgesic activities similar to that observed with aspirin. Chloroform extract (500mg/kg, i.p.) also inhibited number of writhings induced by acetic acid. Chloroform extract provided analgesic effects similar to morphine. Its effect was quick and durable. This in vivo study demonstrates that S. wiedemannii has strong analgesic effect in accordance with the public belief.

Keywords: Salvia wiedemannii, analgesic activity, folk medicine

References: 1. Davis PH (1982) Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands. Vol. 4, Edinburgh.

2. Honda G et al. (1996)J Ethnopharmacol 53: 75–87.

3. Sezik E et al. (2001)J Ethnopharmacol 75: 95–115.