Antinociceptive effect of methanol extract of Capparis ovata in mice

Capparis ovata Desf. (Capparaceae) grows widely in Turkey. Flower buds and fruits of the plant are used in folk medicine for their analgesic, antirheumatismal, and diuretic effects.

This study evaluated the possible antinociceptive effect of the methanol extract of C. ovata (CME) in mice.

The antinociceptive effect of methanol extract, prepared with the C. ovata flower buds, was studied at the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg (i.p.) using tail-immersion, hot-plate, and writhing tests in mice. Morphine sulfate (5 mg/kg; i.p.) and dipyrone (100 mg/kg; i.p.) were used as reference analgesic agents. Naloxone (5 mg/kg; i.p.) was also tested.

It was observed that the C. ovata extract had a significant antinociceptive effect in these tests. In the hot-plate and tail-immersion test results, the doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg increased the percentage of the maximum possible effect (MPE%) value for nociception significantly according to the control value (P < 0.001). All doses of the extract decreased the number of acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in mice when compared with control group (P < 0.001). These effects were inhibited by pretreatment with naloxone.

Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that CME is a potentially antinociceptive agent which acts as both at the peripheral and central levels.