Hedranthera barteri
L. (HB) is used in the treatment of painful conditions and oedema amongst its folkloric
use. The hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of the root of
H. barteri were investigated for anti-nociceptive and antiinflammatory
properties and probable mechanism of action. Hot plate, tail flick, formalin-induced oedema and acetic acidinduced
writhing tests were employed to investigate the anti-nociceptive activity while the anti-inflammatory activity was
investigated using carrageenan-induced paw oedema. Anti-histaminic potential of HB root extracts on the rat peritoneal
mast cells (RPMCs) was explored through spectrofluorometric method. The root was screened for its phytochemical
components. The HB root contains alkaloids, cardenolides and saponins. HXHBR exhibited higher anti-inflammatory
potentials (P<0.001). HXHBR dose-dependently (P<0.01) reduced the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells
which is comparable with a standard anti-histaminic drug, ketotifen. These results showed that EAHBR and HXHBR
possess anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities, and suggested its mechanism of action through the inhibition of
histamine, an inflammatory mediator, usually released during the early phase of allergic responses and chronic phase of
inflammatory pain. Flavonoids, alkaloids and/or saponins present in HB root may be responsible for its anti-nociceptive
and anti-inflammatory properties.
