Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Triterpenoid Molecules Isolated from the Leaves of Combretum glutinosum Perr. Ex DC (Combretaceae)

Combretum glutinosum Perr. Ex DC (COMBRETACEAE) is a traditional medicinal plant, widely distributed in Senegal and Africa. The aim of that study was to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of two triterpenes, betulonic acid (DN7) and cabraleone (DN12), isolated from the leaves of Combretum glutinosum. Experiments were performed in acetic acid-induced contortions in mice and carrageenan rat paw oedema. DN7 (3 mg/kg, per os) and DN12 (3 mg/kg, per os) significantly prevent contortions in mice. The number of contortions is respectively 30±10 and 32±7 versus 72.6±6.64 in control group (p<0.05, n=5). DN7 (3 mg/kg, per os) significantly prevented the increased rat paw oedema (31.84±6.76 vs 92.72±6.05%) (p<0.05, n=5). DN12 (10 mg/kg, per os) induced rat paw oedema prevention similar to that of acetylsalicylic acid (10 mg/kg, per os) administered in the same conditions (29.28±5.88 vs 30.96±7.25%; ns, n=5). The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of triterpenes isolated from C. glutinosum leaves are similar to those of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such acetylsalicylic acid, justifying the use of this plant in traditional medicine to manage pain and inflammation.