ANTINOCICEPTIVE, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, AND ANTIOXIDANT STUDIES ON WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (L.) DUNAL

The goal of this study is to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of various leaf extracts (methanolic extract, chloroform fraction (1), chloroform fraction (2), ethyl acetate, butanol, and hydroalcoholic fractions) of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal plant using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Total tannins content (TTC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) were measured to estimate the polyphenol content. Four different approaches were used to assess the antioxidant potential of the plant. The carrageenan and formalin tests were used to assess anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties in rats respectively. The methanolic extract (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), all fractions (100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg), Diclofenac sodium (25 mg/kg), and normal saline were given to 156 Wistar rats via oral gavage. Also, the acute toxicity of the methanolic extract was analyzed on twenty rats. In comparison to the control group, treatment with the methanolic extract at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg, both doses of chloroform fraction (1) (30 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg), and butanol fraction 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the pain score in the formalin test as well as the carrageenan paw edema. At the tested dose, the acute toxicity test revealed that it was non-toxic. Furthermore, in the assessments, there was moderate amounts of flavonoid content in these extracts. In conclusion, the present study revealed the phytochemicals present in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal whole plant has anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, and anti-oxidant effects. Further studies are needed to recognize the exact bioactive compounds that possess these properties and the mechanism of these potential effects in the plant.