Heteromorpha arborescens
belongs to the family Apiaceae. It is commonly known as the parsley tree. One of its
uses in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa is for the treatment of abdominal pains. The therapeutic effects of the
methanolic and aqueous root extracts of
H. arborescens were investigated at two dose levels respectively on experimental models
of pain and inflammation in rodents. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated using the hot-plate, abdominal constriction and
formalin tests. The anti-inflammatory properties of these extracts were assessed using albumin and carrageenan as phlogistic
agents. Both extracts produced significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) inhibition of thermal nociception induced by a hot plate. On chemical
nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin injection, both extracts significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01)
decreased the number of writhing episodes and the licking time in a dose dependent manner. Treatment with the extracts at the
same doses produced a significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) pain inhibition of the carrageenan induced inflammatory pain. Similarly, both
extracts produced a significant (P<0.05, P<0.01) reduction of edema induced by albumin and carrageenan. These results suggest
that both extracts of
H. arborescens may act by inhibition of the mediators of inflammation. These findings seem to justify the use
of the plant in traditional medicine in the management of pain and inflammation related diseases.
