Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Acacia pennata wild (Mimosaceae)

The butanolic fraction of dried leaves of Acacia pennata (Mimosaceae) was tested for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models. It showed significant protective effects against chemical stimuli (acetic acid and formalin) in the mouse. It also produced a significant increase of the threshold of sensitivity to pressure-induced pain in the rats. The extract revealed an inhibitory effect in carrageenin-induced rat paw oedema in the late phase. The results suggested that a peripheral mechanism is involved in the analgesic, associated to anti-inflammatory effect (NSAIDs-like). Among the class of compounds characterized in this fraction, flavonoids may be mainly responsible for the pharmacological activities.