Study of the Analgesic Potential of the Ethanolic Extract of Moroccan Cistus ladanifer L.

Aims: The study aimed to analyze the analgesic activity of Cistus ladanifer L.

Background: Cistus ladanifer L. is a fragrant shrub of the Cistaceae family widespread in the Mediterranean basin, it has various biological activities, including antidiabetic and antihypertensive effects.

Objectives: The objective of this work was to study the phytochemical profile, the acute toxicity and the analgesic power of the ethanolic extract of the species Cistus ladanifer L. (C. ladanifer) collected in Northern Morocco.

Methods: The evaluation of antinociceptive activity in mice was performed using two validated models, the formalin-induced paw-licking model and the acetic acid-provoked writhing test.

Results: According to the results, five phenolic compounds were identified in the ethanolic extract by HPLC-MS/MS. As regards the acute toxicity study, the results showed no mortality or clinical symptoms in mice treated to compare the control group at doses up to 5,000 mg/kg BW. Regarding the analgesic effect, the ethanolic extract at the doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg, BW showed a statistically significant (p <0.05) and dose-dependent analgesic effect in two nociceptive tests. On the other hand, in the syrup of ethanolic extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg, BW expressed the most superior pain-inhibiting effect in both tests, producing an analgesic effect equivalent to that of the reference drug (indomethacin).

Conclusion: These findings provide pharmacological justification that might aid in the development of a natural anti-nociceptive medication as an alternative to chemical analgesic drugs.