Evaluation of antinociceptive and antihyperglycemic activities in methanol extracts of whole plants of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (Amaranthaceae) in mice

The present study evaluated the antinociceptive and antihyperglycemic effects of crude methanol extract of whole plants of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (Amaranthaceae) in Swiss albino mice. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated by attenuation of the number of constrictions in acetic acid-induced gastric pain, while antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated through oral glucose tolerance tests in glucose-loaded mice. Dose-dependent and significant inhibitions in the number of constrictions were seen in mice administered with extract at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight. At these concentrations, the numbers of constrictions were reduced, respectively, by 31.0, 32.7, 37.9 and 44.8%. In comparison, a standard antinociceptive drug, aspirin reduced the number of constrictions by 37.9 and 67.2%, when administered at doses, respectively, of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight. The extract also exhibited dose-dependent and significant antihyperglycemic activity when administered to mice at the aforementioned four doses. Serum glucose concentrations were reduced, respectively, by 36.3, 58.6, 65.0 and 65.6% at the four doses administered. The results compare favorably with a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, which when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight reduced serum glucose level by 42.7%. Taken together, the results obtained indicate that the extract merit further scientific studies towards discovery of components, which may prove beneficial in ameliorating pain, as well as high sugar levels of diabetic patients.