Anti-nociceptive and antipyretic activities of CoV-Pla 3 extract: relevance on symptomatic treatment of Covid-19 Disease

Background: There is an urgent need to search for effective remedies against COVID-19 from the rich and extensive flora of Africa.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive and anti-pyretic activities of the methanol extract of a herbal combination product, Cov-Pla3 in experimental animals.

Methods: Animal models of nociception and hyperthermia including acetic acid-induced contortion, hot-plateinduced nociception, egg albumin-induced paw edema and Brewer's yeast-induce hyperthermia were adopted.

Results: The results revealed that the Cov-Pla3 extract at all the doses used increased the reaction time in a nonsignificant manner (p > 0.05). However, the increase in reaction time at doses of the extract was significant compared to the baseline (p <0.05). The results also showed that Cov-Pla3 extract at the dose of 125 mg/kg at 90 minutes after administration had the highest anti-nociceptive effect of 49.73 % followed by 46.70 % at the dose of 500 mg/kg at same period. It was also shown that the extract significantly reduced acetic acid-contortions at a dose of 500 mg/kg (p < 0.05) with corresponding inhibition of 73 %. The extract at all the doses used significantly decreased paw edema compared to baseline after 180 minutes of administration (p < 0.05). The anti-pyretic test indicated that Cov-Pla3 significantly reduced temperature at 125 mg and 500 mg/kg after 4 hours of administration (p< 0.05). In conclusion, Cov-Pla3 possesses a combination of analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities.

Conclusion: This scientific evidence, in addition to its safety profile from the LD50 of above 5000 mg/kg, justifies its recommendation for clinical trial use in Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms.