Antinociceptive activity evaluation of leaves of Malva verticillata L.

Abstract

In acetic acid-induced writhing tests in mice, methanol extract of leaves of Malva verticillata (MEMV) dose-dependently and significantly reduced the number of writhings induced by intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight MEMV reduced the number of writhings by 24.1, 27.6, 34.5, and 41.4%, respectively. By comparison, a standard antinociceptive drug aspirin reduced the number of writhings by 24.1 and 51.7% respectively, when administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight. The results suggest that MEMV possess considerable antinociceptive activity and can possibly be used as substitute for aspirin. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids and flavonoids in MEMV, which classes of compounds may be responsible for the observed antinociceptive effects.