Authors : Ishrat Jahan, M. Abdullah A. Mamun, M. Atowar Hossen, J.A.M. Samir Sakir, M. Shamimuzzaman, M. Jashim Uddin and M. Ekramul Haque
Abstract: Nymphaea nouchali leaves are used in folk medicine for the treatment of various disorders. In order to evaluate the actions of this plant, studies were performed on antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The Methanolic extract of Nymphaea Nouchali Flowers (MNNF) was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan induced hind paw edema model whereas hot plate, writhing and formalin tests was carried out for analgesic activity. Total phenolic and flavonoids content, scavenging of 1, 1-Diphenyl-2- Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, peroxynitrate (ONOO-) as well as inhibition of total ROS generation were used to evaluate antioxidant potential of MNNF. The extract MNNF at the dose of 100 and 200 mg kg-1, produced a significant (p<0.05) increase in pain threshold in hot plate method whereas significantly (p<0.05) reduced the writhing caused by acetic acid and the number of licks induced by formalin in a dose dependent manner. The same ranges of doses of MNNF caused significant (p<0.05) inhibition of carrageenan induced paw edema after 4 h in a dose dependent manner. In DPPH, ONOO- and total ROS scavenging method, MNNF showed good antioxidant potentiality with the IC50 value of 10.33±1.02, 20.16±0.61 and 31.72±0.48 μg mL-1, respectively. The findings of the study suggested that Nymphaea nouchali has strong analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, conforming the traditional use of this plant for inflammatory pain alleviation to its antioxidant potentiality.
Ishrat Jahan, M. Abdullah A. Mamun, M. Atowar Hossen, J.A.M. Samir Sakir, M. Shamimuzzaman, M. Jashim Uddin and M. Ekramul Haque, 2012. Antioxidant, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Nymphaea Nouchali Flowers. Research Journal of Pharmacology, 6: 62-70.