Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and toxicity of the seed's ethanol extract of Calophyllum inophyllum L. from the eastern region of Madagascar

The seeds of Calophyllum inophyllum L. is used to treat scabies and other skin diseases and to alleviate the inflammation in case of dental caries. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the seeds of C. inophyllum. These activities were assessed in vivo models in mice using the ethanol extract (EECi) and the dichloromethane (DFCi), ethyl acetate (EFCi) and the aqueous (AFCi) fractions of the seeds of C. inophyllum obtained by the liquid-liquid partition method from EECi. The writhing test provoked by acetic acid injection was used for the analgesic activity study and the oedema provoked by the carrageenan injection in sub plantar was utilized for the anti-inflammatory activity. Acute and repeated 30-days doses oral toxicities along with the teratogenic effects of the ethanol extract were also evaluated in mice. EECi inhibited the inflammation caused by the carrageenan-induction in dose dependant manner after the 30th, 60th, 120th, 180th and 240th min (p < 0.001). AFCi and EECi at the dose of 100 mg/kg showed similar anti-inflammatory activity (p > 0.05). EECi inhibited the pain at all tested doses. It exerted a similar analgesic activity at the dose of 100 mg/kg to that of the indomethacin (10 mg/kg). DFCi and AFCi (100 mg/kg) showed comparable analgesic activity to that of EECi at 200 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the seeds of C. inophyllum could be attributed to the flavonoids, leucoantocyanins, anthocyanins, phenolic compounds and tannins detected in this plant. Moreover, EECi did not exerted toxicity at the active doses (100 and 200 mg/kg). Further studies should be undertaken including the isolation of the active compounds to complete this work and enhance the use of this plant in treatment of pain and inflammatory related diseases.