Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Papaver Rhoeas L. A Traditional Medicinal Plant of Morocco

Abstract

Papaver rhoeas L. is an annual herb belongs to the Papaveraceae family that has not been investigated yet in Morocco.The flowers of this plant have been used in treating mild pain caused by earache, toothache and neuralgia, and an infusion of the petals is traditionally taken for coughs, insomnia and poor digestion.In this study the toxicological effect of Papaver rhoeas L. aqueous extract (PRAE) was determined in mice. The toxicological results obtained indicated that 2000 mg/kg is LD50. Phytochemical screening of this plant revealed the presence of various bioactive secondary metabolites as tannins, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloid. PRAE have been investigated for analgesic effects in acetic acid induced pain in mice and using tail flick in rats and for the antiinflammatory effects with the carrageen and experimental trauma-induced hind paw edema tests. Results demonstrated that Papaver rhoeas L. acts as a potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent in all tested models for analgesia and inflammation in Morocco.

Papaver rhoeas L. stem and flower extracts: Anti-struvite, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant activities

“…Comparing our results of anti-inflammatory activity with those of other studies, aqueous extracts of P. rhoeas aerial parts at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg showed a maximum percentage of edema inhibition of 87.47 and 87.49%, respectively ( Hajjaj, 2018 ). The model of local inflammation induced by subcutaneous injection of carrageenan is a widely used model in research on anti-inflammatory substances.…”

“…Comparing our results of analgesic activity with those of the other studies, the number of abdominal contractions in rats treated with aqueous extracts of P. rhoeas aerial parts at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg is 20.25 ± 3.21, and 12.25 ± 2.40, respectively ( Hajjaj, 2018 ). The results indicate a dose-dependent increase in the peripheral analgesic efficacy of our extracts.…”

“…Many non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant properties, as they generally inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzyme responsible for prostaglandin production ( Fond, 2016 , Fond et al, 2014 , Hajjaj, 2018 , Köhler et al, 2014 ). Our study suggests that SE and FE cause anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects similar to those of NSAIDs, which is consistent with the traditional use of the plant by the Moroccan population.…”

“…Finally, the coumarins are identified by looking at their UV fluorescence at a wavelength of 366 nm. (The presence of coumarins is shown by a bright fluorescence in the tube where ammonia has been introduced) ( Hajjaj, 2018 , Hama Hamadou et al, 2018 , Rahman et al, 2022 ).…”

“…The Institutional Ethics Committee for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals of the Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah University of Fez, Morocco, reviewed and approved the present study under the ethical authorization number 07/2021/LIEME. The choice of doses is based on previous studies; indeed, a study shows that the median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of the aerial part P. rhoeas aqueous extract is greater than 2000 mg/kg ( Hajjaj, 2018 ). Moreover, the LD 50 of the P. rhoeas petal aqueous, and hydroethanolic extracts is 4000 mg/kg ( Rachid Soulimani et al, 2001 ).…”