Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of 80% Methanol Extract of Leonotis ocymifolia (Burm.f.) Iwarsson Leaves in Rodent Models.

<italic>Background</italic>. Pain and inflammation are the major health problems commonly treated with traditional remedies mainly using medicinal plants.<italic> Leonotis ocymifolia</italic> is one of such medicinal plants used in folkloric medicine of Ethiopia. However, the plant has not been scientifically evaluated. The aim of this study was to evaluate analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the 80% methanol leaves extract of<italic> Leonotis ocymifolia</italic> using rodent models.<italic> Method</italic>. The central and peripheral analgesic effect of the extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg dose levels was evaluated using hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing rodent models, whereas carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma methods were used to screen anti-inflammatory effect of the extract at the same dose levels. Acute toxicity test was also done. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test and p<0.05 was considered significant.<italic> Results</italic>. The extract did not produce mortality up to 2000 mg/kg. All tested doses of the extract showed significant analgesic effect with maximum latency response of 62.8% and inhibition of acetic acid induced writhing. Maximum anti-inflammatory effect was recorded at 6 h after induction, with 75.88% reduction in carrageenan induced paw edema. Moreover, all tested doses of extract significantly inhibited the formation of inflammatory exudates and granuloma formation (p<0.001).<italic> Conclusion</italic>. The study indicated that the extract was safe in mice and it has both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in rodent models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]