EVALUATION OF ANALGESIC & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF HYDRO-ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT OF DESMOSTACHYA BIPINNATA (L.) STAPF ROOT ON EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

Desmostachia bipinnata (L.) Stapf (Gramineae) occurs widely in Egypt. This plant used traditionally as analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, asthma, thirst, jaundice, vaginal discharges, vesicle calculi, diseases of bladder, skin eruptions, vomiting, and sedative to pregnant uterus. So, in the present study, Desmostachia bipinnata roots were explored for their anti-inflammatory (carrageenan induced paw oedema) and analgesic potential (Hot plate method) on experimental model and compared to standard drugs (Indomethacin for anti-inflammatory activity, Analgin for analgesic activity). In the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test for acute inflammation, the extract of Desmostachya bipinnata in dose of 400 mg/kg body weight showed 62.5% inhibition of edema, at the end of 3h. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, sterols and flavonoids. The pharmacological activities of medicinal plants are usually due to their secondary metabolites. Some of the constituents of the extract have been documented to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The results of this study provide evidence for the analgesic and anti- inflammatory activity of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Desmostachya bipinnata root thus supporting its traditional use in painful inflammatory conditions.