Phytochemical Characterization and Analgesic Activity of Ethanol Extract of Majapahit Stem Bark (Crescentia cujete L.) in Male Swiss Webster Mice

Abstract

Majapahit (Crescentia cujete L.) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes and known to contain diverse secondary metabolites with potential pharmacological activities. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition and evaluate the analgesic activity of a 70% ethanol extract of majapahit stem bark in male Swiss Webster mice. The stem bark was extracted by maceration using 70% ethanol. The resulting extract was characterized based on loss on drying, moisture content, total ash content, qualitative phytochemical screening, and quantitative determination of selected secondary metabolites by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the hot plate method at extract doses of 125, 250, and 375 mg/kg body weight, with 0.5% CMC-Na and mefenamic acid used as the negative and positive controls, respectively. Loss on drying, moisture content, and total ash content of the crude plant material were 2.90%, 9.73%, and 12.51%, respectively, while the extract yield was 3.29%. Phytochemical screening detected alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. UV–Vis analysis yielded measured levels of 3.31 mg/kg flavonoids, 2.40 mg/kg tannins, 1.09 mg/kg alkaloids, and 0.74 mg/kg saponins. The 375 mg/kg dose produced the highest analgesic response among the extract-treated groups, with 45.0% response protection and 98.0% analgesic activity. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences among treatment groups (p < 0.05), although the Tukey test showed no significant difference among the extract-treated groups and the positive control. These findings indicate that the ethanol extract of majapahit stem bark has potential analgesic activity in male Swiss Webster mice.