Burkea africana (Hook) has been used traditionally for managing pain related ailments. However, there is little scientific documentation to complement its use in the management of pain. This experiment therefore evaluated the anti-nociceptive effects and the potential acute toxicological profile of the hydro-ethanol of the stem bark extract of Burkea africana (BAE). Acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing nociception [1], formalin-induced nociception [2], carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia [3] and acidic-saline induced hyperalgesia [4] tests were used to determine the anti-nociceptive effects of BAE. The acute toxicological profile of the extract was also assessed after single and multiple administrations in mice and rats respectively. Oral administration of BAE (50, 500, 1000 mg/kg) showed a significant anti-nociceptive effects in all the models used.
In the toxicological study, acute administration of high doses of extract did not elicit any lethality with the lethal dose 50 (LD 50) of BAE estimated to be above 10000 mg/kg.
In conclusion, the hydro-ethanol extract of the stem bark of B. africana possess some anti-nociceptive effects justifying it use in traditional medicine as an analgesic.
Acknowledgement: Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) for sponsorship.
Keywords: Burkea, anti-nociception, acidic-saline,
References
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