The combination of Luvunga sarmentosa (BI.) and Eurycoma longifolia Jackhydro-alcoholic extract as a source of antioxidant and analgesic agent

The combination of Luvunga sarmentosa and Eurycoma longifolia is widely prescribed in traditional medicine by the local Dayak tribe in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of antioxidants and analgesics from the combination of hydro-alcoholic extract of L. sarmentosa and E. longifolia stem. The phytochemical investigation was performed using an established method described in the literature. The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteu, whereas the flavonoid was determined by aluminum chloride. The in vitro antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The analgesic effect was determined by acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in male mice. The result shows that combination extract (CE, IC50 162.5±0.21 µg/mL) had higher antioxidant activity than L. sarmentosa extract (LSE, IC50 200.20±0.23 µg/mL) and E. longifolia extract (ELE, IC50 293.45±0.32 µg/mL). All extracts showed significant dose-dependent analgesic activity against acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate pain models. A higher dose of CE, LSE, and ELE (550 mg/kg) produced significant inhibition of writhing by 67.60±2.76, 56.45±2.34, and 68.64±1.65%, respectively. The maximum possible analgesia of CE, LSE, and ELE in the hot plate test at 550 mg/kg BW dose was 25.32%, 16.04%, and 26.72%. CE has higher analgesic activity than LSE and ELE. The extracts are more effective for peripheral than central analgesia. Its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the inflammatory mediator's release. The high antioxidant and analgesic activity at CE is relevant to the higher total flavones and phenols compared to LSE and ELE.