Antinociceptive properties of the methanolic extract obtained from Ipomoeapes-caprae (L.) R-Br.

Ipomoea pes-caprae is a medicinal plant used in many countries for the trea tment of several ailments, including inflammatory and algesic processes. Th e present study describes the antinociceptive effects of the methanolic ext ract and two fractions obtained from aerial parts of this plant. The result s indicated that both methanolic extract and two fractions (ethyl acetate a nd aqueous) exhibited considerable antinociceptive activity against two cla ssical models of pain in mice. Methanolic extract presented a calculated ID ,, value of 33.8 mg/kg, i.p, against writhing test and also inhibited both phases of pain (neurogenic and inflammatory) of the formalin test with ID50 of 37.7 and 12.5 mg/kg, i.p. for the first and second phase, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of steroids, ter penoids. alkaloids and flavonoids. These findings support, at least in part , the popular use of I. pes-caprae to treat dolorous processes. (C) 2000 Pu blished by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.