Purpose: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties of crude methanol fruit
extract of
Quercus incana
(QI), as well as its acute toxicity and phytochemical profile.
Methods: Two animal models were used: Wistar rats for carrageenan-induced paw inflammation and
Swiss albino mice for acetic acid-induced writhing test (hot plate method for anti-nociceptive effect). The
extract was also subjected to phytochemical screening using standard procedures.
Results: The extract showed significant (p < 0.01) anti-inflammatory effect at doses of 50, 100 and 150
mg/kg. It also evoked significant anti-nociceptive activity (both peripheral and central analgesia) at all
test doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg; p < 0.01). Acute toxicity data revealed that the extract was non-toxic
up to a dose of 425 mg/kg, while phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids,
flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, tannins, coumarins, reducing sugars and resins.
Conclusion: These results suggest that
Quercus incana fruit contains compounds with antinociceptive
and anti-inflammatory properties.
