The roots of kiwi (Actinidia arguta (Sieb.et Zucc.) Planch) have medicinal uses as anti-tumour, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents. We aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects of the major fractions of kiwi roots. The ethanolic extract of the plant roots was partitioned using a liquid-liquid extraction procedure to give five major fractions. Following phytochemical screening of isolated fractions, the total extract and each fraction were evaluated for their antinociception and anti-inflammatory effects using acetic acid, hot plate test, formalin and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests, respectively. The results indicated that the total extract, ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) and n-butanol fraction (BF) exhibited significant inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing, and both phases of the formalin-induced pain response increased in time of response to thermal stimulation in hot plate test and exhibited significant dose-related inhibition of carrageenan induced paw oedema volumes when compared with the control group. It can be concluded that the flavonoid and saponin content of kiwi roots can be responsible for antinociception and antiinflammatory effects of the plant, respectively.

Aims: The roots of Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch (also named tengligen) have medicinal uses as anti-tumour, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of 95% ethanol extract and different fractions of the roots of A. arguta (Sieb.et Zucc.) Planch (Tengligen). Methods: Three conventional methods were used to carry out the antinociceptive effect: acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin induced hind paw licking, and hot plate test. In addition, the anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Conclusion: From the obtained results, we found that the total ethanol extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and n-butanol fraction all significantly inhibited acetic acidinduced writhing and both phases of the formalin induced pain response, increased the time of response to thermal stimulation in hot plate test, and exhibited significant dose-related inhibition of carrageenan induced paw edema volumes when compared with the control group. Based on our findings, we conclude that the flavonoid and saponin contents of tengligen are responsible for the antinociception and anti-inflammatory effects of Actinidia arguta (Sieb. et Zucc.) Planch, respectively.