Safety evaluation and analgesic studies of defatted methanol extract of Capparis spinosa L. (Capparidaceae) fruits and roots bark in albino wistar rats

Capparis spinosa L. is an indigenous plant from Algeria but has widespread distribution in Mediterranean area. It is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases by the local populations. The purpose of this study is to test toxicity and analgesic effect of defatted methanol extract of fruits and roots bark of this plant in albino Wistar rats. To evaluate the acute toxicity, 500-5000 mg/kg body weight of each extract was administered orally to rats; symptoms of toxicity and mortality were observed for 72 h. The results revealed the absence of toxicity for both extracts. In subchronic toxicity, rats were treated, with doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of each extract, they were surveyed for four weeks, no symptoms of toxicity were observed. These results were confirmed by the blood biochemical analyses and the histopathology study of liver and kidney. Peripheral analgesic activity was tested orally at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg for each extract against pain induced by acetic acid. The dose of 200 mg/kg of both extracts presented significant analgesic effect, compared to the positive control; the acetylsalicylic acid.