Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. immature fruit and seed organic extracts

B. Marzouk A, Z. Marzouk B, N. Fenina B, A. Bouraoui C, M. Aouni A

A Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives, Faculté de Pharmacie, Monastir, Rue Avicenne 5000 Monastir (Tunisie) B Unité de Pharmaco-économie et Développement des Médicaments, Laboratoires de Biologie Végétale et Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Monastir, (Tunisie) C Unité URSAM, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie, Faculté de Pharmacie, Monastir, (Tunisie)

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• Pharmacology

Background and Objectives: Inflammations and immune-related diseases including rheumatoid arthritis are widespread in the entire globe. The treatment of these illnesses is mainly based on the use of synthetic and biotechnological drugs, in recent years. Tunisian traditional medicine is a potential source of new remedies namely Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae): endemic in southern Tunisia and used in folk medicine to treat many inflammation disorders. Our goal was to assess the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Tunisian Citrullus colocynthis immature fruit and seed organic extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and finely methanol extract).

Material and Methods: Yields of prepared organic extracts are gravimetrically determined. For the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, we have used respectively, the acetic acid writhing test in mice and the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay in rats.

Results and Discussion: All extracts displayed an important analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities at different doses without inducing any side effects. This study has demonstrated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Citrullus colocynthis immature fruit and seed extracts. Experiment results provide scientific insight into the ancient practice of utilizing Citrullus colocynthis Schrad. as analgesic and as anti-inflammatory agents.

Corresponding Authors: Belsem Marzouk, MD; e-mail: belsemmarzouk@yahoo.fr;
Zohra Marzouk, MD; e-mail: zohra_marzouk@yahoo.fr