Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory and Sedative Effects of Leaf Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera （L.） Dunal （Solanaceae）in Rats and Mice  

作　　者：George Jimboyeka Amabeoku Oluchi Nneka Mbamalu Munira Ismail Nabeel Dudhia Nadeem Noordien Zukiswa Mabuya Oatlhostse Kakutsi 

机构地区：[1]Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa

出　　处：《Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology》2015年第10期469-478,共10页药剂与药理学（英文版）

摘　　要：The use of medicinal plants in South Africa is cultural. Withania somnifera is one of the medicinal plants used to treat various ailments in the country. The plant species has been used by traditional medicine practitioners to treat inflammation and painful conditions like rheumatism. It is also known to be used as a sedative and hypnotic drug. Despite the claims, there is no information in literature to corroborate the therapeutic success of Withania somnifera in the treatment of inflammation and insomnia. The study, therefore, investigated the anti-inflammatory and central nervous system depressant activities of the leaf aqueous extract of the plant species in mice and rats. Fresh leaves of W. somnifera were collected from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, South Africa, authenticated by a taxonomist and a voucher specimen （UWC 005） deposited in the University＇s Herbarium. Leaf aqueous extract was prepared using standard extraction methods. The carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema test was used to determine the anti-inflammatory effects while pentobarbitone-induced sleep and locomotor activity tests were used to evaluate the sedative effect of the plant species. Phytochemical qualitative analysis, acute toxicity and HPLC studies of the plant species were also carried out using standard methods. The phytochemical qualitative analysis carried out on the dried powdered leaves of W. somnifera showed the presence of saponins, tannins and triterpene steroids. Leaf aqueous extract of IV. somnifera （100-200 mg/kg IP） significantly prolonged pentobarbitone （40 mg/kg, i.p.）-induced sleep in mice in a dose dependant manner. Diazepam （0.5 mg/kg, i.p.） significantly prolonged pentobarbitone （40 mg/kg, i.p.）-induced sleep in mice. The doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg （i.p.） of the plant species and 0.5 mg/kg （i.p.） of diazepam significantly reduced the locomotor activity of mice. Leaf aqueous extract of the plant species （50-200 mg/kg, i.p.） significantly reduced the oedema produced by carrageenan （1

关 键 词：Withania somnifera SOLANACEAE leaf aqueous extract anti-inflammatory activity Pentobarbitone-induced sleep test locomotor activity phytochemical analysis acute toxicity HPLC study MICE rats. 

分 类 号：R9[医药卫生—药学]