Albizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia volatile oils exhibit anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties in pain models

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Albizia lebbeck and Albizia zygia are used in Nigeria, South Africa and Other countries for the treatment of flu, fever, pain, epilepsy, and inflammation.

Aim of the study: Application of plant essence for treating ailments is common among local communities. This research was designed to characterize the volatile compounds and evaluate the toxicity, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of this plant species.

Materials and methods: The volatile oils were analysed comprehensively utilizing gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using the HP-5 column. The toxicity was evaluated using the toxicity assay. The anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory assays were analysed by a hot plate, Formalin, and carrageenan-induced edema assays, respectively.

Results: The essential oils were obtained in a yield of 0.1% (v/w) calculated on a dry weight basis for both oils. The main compounds of A. lebbeck were 2-pentylfuran (16.4%), (E)-geranyl acetone (15.46%), (E)-α-ionone (15.45%) and 3-Octanone (11.61%), while the oil of A. zygia is mainly hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (33.14%), (E)-methyl isoeugenol (11.7%) and 2-methyl tetradecane (6.64%). The volatile oils are non-toxic to about 5000 mg/kg dose. Albizia zygia significantly (P < 0.001) suppressed the nociceptive afferent fibres in a non-dose dependent manner in comparison to A. lebbeck in the hot plate model. Both oils inhibited nociceptive mediators at both phases of the formalin-induced assay, with a maximum inhibition (100%) at the inflammatory stage. The volatile oils inhibited the Carrageenan-induced inflammation at all phases ranging from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001. The probable pro-inflammatory inhibitory mechanism might be the suppression of some pain biomarkers such as histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, and the Interleukins (ILs) induced by the edema. Volatile constituents such as ionones, eugenol derivatives and Other compounds cause the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities reported.

Conclusion: This is the first report of the volatile oils and bioassays of Albizia zygia, while the study also confirms previous studies of A. lebbeck. Generally, the findings further prove the use of the Plants as pain ameliorating agents.