Phytochemical and Analgesic Screening of Daniellia oliveri Bark Extract in Animal Models at a Research Facility in Kwara State

Daniellia oliveri, locally called African copaiba balsam tree, is used across North Central Nigeria for the traditional treatment of pain, fever, and inflammatory conditions. Despite widespread ethnomedicinal use, controlled pharmacological studies on its analgesic potential remain limited in the scientific literature. This study conducted phytochemical screening and evaluated the analgesic activity of methanol bark extract of D. oliveri in experimental animal models at a university research facility in Ilorin, Kwara State. The extract was prepared by cold maceration in 80% methanol and characterised for phytochemical constituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and triterpenoids. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test and the hot plate method in Swiss albino mice. Oral doses of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg were administered, and standard comparisons were made with aspirin and morphine sulphate. The extract produced dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing, with the 600 mg/kg dose showing 62.4% protection. Hot plate latency was significantly increased at all dose levels compared to vehicle control. Flavonoids and triterpenoids identified in the extract are consistent with the observed analgesic effects. These findings provide pharmacological validation of the traditional use of D. oliveri bark and support further isolation of active compounds. Keywords: Daniellia oliveri, analgesic, phytochemistry, writhing test, Kwara State.