Preclinical validation of antinociceptive, antiinflammatory, and antipyretic activities of Cordia martinicensis leave decoction

Introduction: leave decoction of Cordia martinicensis (Jacq.) Roem. & Schult. is commonly used in Dominica, Martinique and St. Lucia to relieve thoracic pain and fever. Objectives: to validate the antiinflammatory, antinociceptive (analgesic), and antipyretic ethnobotanical uses of Cordia martinicensis in experimental animal models. Methods: 30 % aqueous extract of Cordia martinicensis dry leaves was prepared just before use. Analgesic activity was assayed by writhing and tail flick, and antiinflammatory activity by the ear oedema test, both in mice. Finally, antipyretic activity was tested by inducing pyrexia with brewer's yeast in rats. Results: decoction of Cordia martinicensis significantly decreased the number of abdominal stretchings by 44.4 %, but it didn't produce a significant antinociceptive response to thermal stimuli. It also displayed strong antiinflammatory activity, the percentage of inhibition was near 60 %, and a dose of 5 mg/kg showed significant antipyretic activity. Cordia martinicensis reacted positively to alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and anthocyanidines, and did not show any signs of toxicity. Conclusions: this is the first report on the activity of Cordia martinicensis directly related to its popular use, and it provides pharmacological validation for the relief of fever, inflammation and pain. Further studies should be done to identify the active principles responsible for the biological activity of the plant.