Phytochemicals, antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous extract of Teucrium stocksianum bioss

Background: Despite availability of a substantial number of potent synthetic drugs, medicinal Plants are still playing a key role in the discovery of novel and effective drug molecules. Numerous researchers are focusing on the plant based medicines due to its strong safety profiles. Teucrium species exhibit profound antidiabetic, analgesic and spasmolytic activities. The methanolic extract and essential oil of Teucrium stocksianum possess strong antinociceptive activity. The aim of the current research study was to determine the phytochemicals, antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of the aqueous extract of Teucrium stocksianum Bioss (AETS).

Method: Phytochemical screening was carried out according to standard procedures. The antioxidant potential of the extract was ascertained with the stable organic free radical (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl). Three different pain models, including acetic acid induced writhing, formalin induced paw licking and tail immersion tests were carried out for the determination of antinociceptive potential, while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated through carrageenan induced paw edema test in mice. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potentials of AETS were assessed at 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight, while acute toxicity were observed at 1500 mg/kg body weight in various groups of mice.

Results: Phytochemical screening has shown the occurrence of Flavonoids saponins, reducing sugars, Terpenoids and tannins. AETS exhibited profound antioxidant activity and has shown maximum activity (60.06 ± 0.846) at 250 μg/ml. In the three pain models AETS displayed marked dose dependent antinociceptive potential. AETS exhibited 63.5, 67.61 and 64% activity in acetic acid induced, formalin induced paw licking and tail immersion tests respectively. The antinociceptive effect of AETS and reference standard drug Tramadol(R) was significantly reversed by Naloxone, endorsed the central analgesic potential of AETS. Similarly the extract also reversed the paw edema in dose dependent manner. AETS displayed significant (53.81%) anti-inflammatory effects at a dose of 300 mg/kg that persisted till 5(th) h. In acute toxicity test AETS was found safe at 1500 mg/kg body weight.

Conclusions: AETS exhibited profound antioxidant activity. The test sample displayed marked antinociceptive potential in all the test procedures, indicating the peripheral and central analgesic effects of AETS. The plant extract also displayed marked anti-inflammatory activity at all test doses.