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Innovative Medicines & Omics Bioactivities of Commelina diffusa

antimicrobial properties. However, the relatively lower samples were administered at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg
efficacy compared to conventional antibiotics may be due body weight. Five minutes after acetic acid administration,
to variations in extraction efficiency, the concentration each mouse was observed for a 10-min period, during
of active compounds, or synergistic interactions among which the number of writhes was recorded. The results are
phytochemicals that were not fully optimized in this study. shown in Figure 1.

3.2. Central analgesic activity A remarkably strong analgesic effect was demonstrated
by all C. diffusa extracts tested, with higher inhibition
Tail flick latency was recorded at 30 and 60 min after sample of writhing compared to the standard reference drug,
administration, and the results are presented in Table 2. diclofenac sodium. The crude methanol extract and the
The petroleum ether and chloroform-soluble fractions chloroform-soluble fractions at 200 mg/kg produced
of C. diffusa significantly increased tail flick latency, maximum analgesic activity, showing inhibition rates of
indicating central analgesic activity. A consistent increase 56.96% and 64.56%, respectively. The petroleum ether
in latency was observed across the test groups, suggesting fraction also demonstrated analgesic activity comparable
dose-dependent analgesic effects. These findings support to the standard. This finding is particularly significant,
the hypothesis that C. diffusa possesses central analgesic as diclofenac is a well-established non-steroidal anti-
properties, in line with earlier studies on the plant. The inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain management.
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analgesic effect is likely due to the presence of bioactive The superior analgesic activity of C. diffusa suggests the
constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids, presence of potent bioactive compounds that may act
which have been previously reported in C. diffusa. The through mechanisms distinct from or complementary to
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time-dependent response implies progressive absorption those of conventional NSAIDs. The strong analgesic effect
and distribution of active compounds, resulting in could be mediated through multiple pathways, including
sustained analgesic effects. Further investigations are inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, modulation of
warranted to elucidate the exact mechanisms of action and opioid receptors, and influence on both peripheral and
therapeutic potential. central pain pathways. 27,28 Similar analgesic effects have
been reported for Commelina benghalensis using both the
3.3. Peripheral analgesic activity tail flicking and writhing methods. 29,30
The peripheral analgesic activity of the various extracts was While the methanol extract showed less potency
evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Test than morphine, its effect was comparable to NSAIDs.
This indicates that C. diffusa may offer a safer alternative
Table 2. Tail flicking time for evaluating central analgesic for pain management with fewer side effects, such as
activity of Commelina diffusa fractions in mice gastrointestinal irritation or addiction risk. 10

Group Treatment Dose Tail flicking time
(mg/kg) (mean±SEM) (s)
After 30 min After 60 min
CTL Normal saline 10 mL 0.698±0.039 0.762±0.097
STD Morphine 2 1.616±0.223* 1.688±0.201**
ME I Methanol extract 100 1.006±0.120 0.914±0.109
ME II Methanol extract 200 0.850±0.034 1.064±0.096
PEF I Petroleum ether 100 1.128±0.195 0.896±0.064
soluble fraction
PEF II Petroleum ether 200 1.878±0.353** 0.888±0.097
soluble fraction
CF I Chloroform 100 1.262±0.228 1.998±0.250***
soluble fraction
CF II Chloroform 200 1.342±0.167 1.320±0.116
soluble fraction
Note: Statistical significance was calculated using one-way ANOVA
followed bypost‑hoc Tukey’s HSD test. *p<0.05, **p<0.01, and Figure 1. Peripheral analgesic activity of Commelina diffusa, expressed as

***p<0.001 compared to CTL; n=5 per group. percentage inhibition of writhing in mice. Data presented as mean±SEM
Abbreviations: BW: Body weight; CF: Chloroform fraction; (n = 5 per group).
CTL: Control; ME: Methanol extract; PEF: Petroleum ether fraction; Abbreviations: CF: Chloroform fraction; ME: Methanol extract;
SEM: Standard error of the mean; STD: Standard. PEF: Petroleum ether fraction; SEM: Standard error of the mean.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2025) 86 doi: 10.36922/IMO025270030