Hypoglycemic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC extracts in animal models

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate acute toxicity, hypoglycaemic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC.Methods: Acute toxicity analysis was assessed by adopting the OECD - 423 Guidelines. The hypoglycemic effect of P. incisa infusion was investigated utilizing Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) on orally glucose-induced hyperglycemic rats. The analgesic effect was investigated using the writhing test model, and anti-inflammatory activity was ascertained by carrageenan-induced paw oedema method.Results: The results showed that half-maximal lethal dose (LD50) values in mice were higher than 14 g/kg. The results of OGTT showed that the plant infusion produced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the glucose level in the blood post oral glucose administration. Treatments with diethyl ether, n-butanol and free aglycone extracts at 400 mg/kg significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the abdominal cramps by 82.45, 74.36 and 65.35, % respectively. Diethyl ether extract also showed higher inflammatory inhibition (67 %) than standard (54 %). As predicted, these extracts were less effective against pain and acute inflammation at 800 mg/kg. The HPLC profile demonstrated the existence of phenolic acids, flavones and C-glycosides.Conclusion: The findings show that P. incisa has promising hypoglycemic, analgesic and antiinflammatory effects, which confirms its folkloric medicinal use in Algeria.