Study of the Analgesic Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Moroccan Cistus ladanifer L.

AIMS: The study aimed to analyze the analgesic activity of Cistus ladanifer L. BACKGROUND: Cistus ladanifer L. is a fragrant shrub of the Cistaceae family widespread in the Mediterranean basin, it has various biological activities, including antidiabetic and antihypertensive effects. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this work was to study the phytochemical profile, the acute toxicity and the analgesic power of the ethanolic extract of the species Cistus ladanifer L. (C. ladanifer) collected in Northern Morocco. METHODS: The evaluation of antinociceptive activity in mice was performed using two validated models, the formalin-induced paw-licking model and the acetic acid-provoked writhing test. RESULTS: According to the results, five phenolic compounds were identified in the ethanolic extract by HPLC-MS/MS. As regards the acute toxicity study, the results showed no mortality or clinical symptoms in mice treated to compare the control group at doses up to 5,000 mg/kg BW. Regarding the analgesic effect, the ethanolic extract at the doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg, BW showed a statistically significant (p <0.05) and dose-dependent analgesic effect in two nociceptive tests. On the other hand, in the syrup of ethanolic extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg, BW expressed the most superior pain-inhibiting effect in both tests, producing an analgesic effect equivalent to that of the reference drug (indomethacin). CONCLUSION: These findings provide pharmacological justification that might aid in the development of a natural anti-nociceptive medication as an alternative to chemical analgesic drugs.

Phytochemical profile, in vivo anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities of the aqueous extract from aerial parts of Cistus ladanifer L.

Cistus ladanifer L. is a Mediterranean shrub, well recognized for its many pharmacological properties. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical profile, the in vivo anti-inflammatory and the wound healing activities of the aqueous extract from its aerial parts (AECL). The in vivo anti-inflammatory and the wound healing properties were evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema (CAECL) and burn wound in rats, respectively. The results showed that six compounds belonging to flavonoids and tannins were identified in the AECL extract. Moreover, the AECL administrated orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg significantly reduced edema with a percentage of 72 % in terms of inflammation inhibition, using indomethacin as reference drug. On the other hand, when administrated topically, both doses of CAECL cream (5 % and 10 %) manifested a significant anti-inflammatory action using diclofenac as reference drug with a percentage reduction of inflammation that reached 85 % (CAECL-10). As far as wound healing is concerned, the CAECL showed higher effect at a dose of 10 % (CAECL-10) producing a wound contraction of 96 %, similar to that of the reference drug. The findings of the present study indicate that the aqueous extract from aerial parts of Cistus ladanifer L. display strongly anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects to be advantageously used for medical purposes.