Synergistic anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of hydroethanolic extracts of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. and Ximenia americana L.

Abstract

Inflammation is the reaction of the immune system to an external or internal aggression of the organism. The symptoms (redness, edema, heat and pain) are secondary to the increase in vascular permeability. The hydroethanolic extract of and has anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The aim was to examine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of extracts alone and in combination. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using the carragenan-induced paw edema and the type of interactions between the two extracts was determined by the combination index and on the isobologram. Acetic acid-induced torsion and Haffner's tail clamp test were performed to evaluate the analgesic activity. At a dose of 500 mg/kg, a and extracts showed a percentage of inhibition of 57.02% and 56.53% respectively. The Median-Effective Dose of combination 2 (174.02 mg/kg) was better than that of combination 1 (186.03 mg/kg). The combination index and isobologram indicated a synergistic interaction between the constituents of the two combinations. The extract of , and the combination at the dose of 500 mg/kg reduced the number of twists by 46.42; 50.17 and 65.53% respectively. The central analgesic response of the combination was maximal (37.36 ± 8.15 seconds) 60 min after administration. The extracts alone showed anti-inflammatory activity and the combinations showed a synergy of effects. The combination showed peripheral and central analgesic effects.