Antinociceptive and Hypoglycemic Activities of Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott in Laboratory Animal.

Aims: The fruit of Scindapsus officinalis is known as Gajapeepal in Ayurveda. The folk lore claim of S. officinalis fruits are antidiabetic, anthelmintic, antidiarrhoeal, carminative, expectorant, tonic, antiprotozoal, anticancer, sharpening hearing, cardiotonic and regulating the bowel and appetite. It is also used in dysentery, asthma, troubles of the throat, bronchitis and for many other medical conditions. Hence the present studies were undertaken to highlight the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the fruit. Study Design: In this study, the ethanol extract of S. officinalis (EE0SF) was primarily evaluated through phytochemical screening. The compounds found in the fruit are of pharmacological interest which prompted us to focus the research on its possible analgesic and anti-diabetic activity and whether these effects are of any statistical significance. Place and Duration of Study: The research experiments were conducted in the Pharmacology laboratory of Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The studies were carried out during July 2013 to January 2013. Methodology: Qualitative phytochemical tests for the identification of various chemical constituents in the fruit extract were carried out with proper reagents. Analgesic potential of the fruit extract was assessed using acetic acid induced writhing response in Swiss albino mice. In this method, acetic acid is injected intraperitoneally to the experimental animals and the response is contraction of the abdominal muscles and the stretching of the hind limps. The fruit was further subjected to anti-diabetic study through six segment method and was investigated for anti-hyperglycemic effects in Long Evans rats. Results: Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of S. officinalis has indicated the presence of steroid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, alkaloid, tanin, saponin and terpenoidcompounds. The analgesic experiment yielded a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in writhing at both 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight dose of extract in a dose dependent manner. The extract, at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, caused a significant (p<0.05) dose dependent inhibition of sucrose absorption in six different segments of the gut and manifested hypoglycemic effects in rats at four different hours. Conclusion: In conclusion, these observations provide evidence and possible mechanisms of action for the medicinal properties of fruit of S.officinalis claimed in Ayurveda medicine.

Phytochemical Screening and Investigation of the Central and Peripheral Analgesic and Anti- Inflammatory Activity of Ethanol Extract of Hiptage benghalensis (L) Kurz.

Aims: Hiptage benghalensis is used in the traditional system of medicine. The leaf is considered one of the important plant organs for the treatment of various diseases such as rheumatism, leprosy, wounds, ulcer, burning sensation, scabies, inflammation and cough. Hence, the present studies were carried out to evaluate chemical constituents and possible pharmacological activities of the leaf. Study Design: Our present studies were focused on the assessment of probable analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis in laboratory animals and the statistical significance of such effects. Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were carried out in Pharmacology lab of Department of Pharmacy North South University Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period of June 2012-February 2013. Methodology: Carrageenan induced Hind Paw Edema test in Long Evans rat was the experiment for anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis while Hot Plate test and Acetic Acid induced Writhing method were was carried out to assess its analgesic activity in Swiss albino mice. At two different doses of the leaf extract, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, the analgesic test was evaluated on mice and the anti-inflammatory test was evaluated on rats. Result: Phytochemical analysis of ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis has indicated the presence of steroid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin, phenol and, mangiferin and terpenoids-compounds. The ethanol extract of Hiptage benghalensis exhibited statistically significant (p<0.05) anti-inflammatory effect in Carrageenan induced Hind Paw Edema in Long Evans rats and incited significant analgesic response to Hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing in Swiss albino mice. Conclusion: In conclusion, these observations provide evidence and possible mechanisms of action for the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of leaf of Hiptage benghalensis claimed in Ayurveda medicine.

Prasarani Sandhan, a Polyherbal Preparationc Shows Anti-nociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities.

Aims: Prasarani Sandhan (PRS) is an Ayurvedic formulation approved by the “National formulary of Ayurvedic Medicine 2011”, of Bangladesh. It is traditionally used in arthritic pain, lumbago and sciatia. Sparse scientific evidence is available to support the efficacy of this preparation. Hence, we planned to document scientific evidences of the pharmacological activity of this preparation. Study Design: Our present study aims to elucidate the probable anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of PRS. Place and Duration of the study: The experiments were performed at the pharmacology lab of North South University during the period of October 2010 to July 2011. Methodology: Two thermal anti-nociceptive models were used, the hot-plate test and tail immersion test, to find out the possible role of the central nervous system in its action. Three in-vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory models, carrageenan induced paw edema, acetic-acid writhing, and formalin induced paw lick tests, were carried out to test its potential anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic properties. Result: The study of PRS (20mL/kg and 40mL/kg) showed no involvement of the CNS in anti-nociceptive activity of PRS. Carrageenan induced paw edema and acetic acid writhing tests both gave significant results (P=.05), indicating possible peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Formalin induced paw-licking test (with and without naloxone co-administration), a differentiator of nurogenic pain (CNS modulated) and inflammatory pain (peripheral nociception), showed that PRS had significant effect in suppressing inflammatory pain (P=.05) but not neurogenic pain. Conclusion: Compiling the results of the experiments, it can be reported that PRS has anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic action.

Investigation on Central and Peripheral Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Punarnavasava, an Ayurvedic Preparation.

Aims: Punarnavasava (PNR) is an Ayurvedic formulation approved by the “National formulary of Ayurvedic Medicine 2011”, of Bangladesh. It is traditionally used in arthritic pain, lumbago and sciatia. Sparse scientific evidence is available to support the efficacy of this preparation. Hence, we planned to document scientific evidences of the pharmacological activity of this preparation. Study Design: Our present study aims to elucidate the probable anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of PNR. Place and Duration of the Study: The experiments were performed at the pharmacology lab of North South University during the period of October 2010 to July 2011. Methodology: Two thermal anti-nociceptive models were used, the hot-plate test and tail immersion test, to find out the possible role of the central nervous system in its action. Three in-vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory models, carrageenan induced paw edema, acetic-acid writhing, and formalin induced paw lick tests, were carried out to test its potential anti-inflammatory and peripheral analgesic properties. Results: The dose dependent study of PNR (10mL/kg, 20mL/kg, and 40mL/kg) showed potential involvement of the CNS in anti-nociceptive activity of PNR. Carrageenan induced paw edema and acetic acid writhing tests both gave significant results (P=.05), indicating possible peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Formalin induced paw-licking test (with and without naloxone co-administration), a differentiator of nurogenic pain (CNS modulated) and inflammatory pain (peripheral nociception), showed that PNR had significant effect in suppressing inflammatory pain (P=.05) but not neurogenic pain. Conclusion: Compiling the results of the experiments, it can be reported that Punarnavasava has both central and peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory action.

Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activity of the Bark Extract of Plumeria rubra on Laboratory Animals.

Aims: To evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanolic bark extract of Plumeria rubra on experimental animal models. Study Design: Assessment of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacy, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, between January 2011 and June 2011. Methodology: The analgesic activity was evaluated by hot plate, acetic acid induced writhing and formalin induced writhing method in Swiss Albino mice divided into 4 different groups (control, standard diclofenac sodium and extract at two different doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW). The extract was also investigated for the anti-inflammatory effect on Long Evans rats using carrageenan induced rat paw edema method. For antiinflammatory study, 24 rats were divided into 4 different groups each receiving either distilled water, standard drug or the extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW. Results: Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids. The extract elicited a highly significant (p<0.001) analgesic activity in a dose dependent manner on hot plate method, acetic acid induced writhing test and also on both the early and late phases of formalin test at the doses employed. In the hot plate method, the extract increased the reaction time of heat sensation to 60.81% and 66.52% at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW respectively while that of the standard drug was 57.40% at the 3rd hour of study. In acetic acid induced writhing test, the percent inhibition of writhing response by the extract was 62.87% and 70.66% at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses respectively (p<0.001) which were even better than the standard drug diclofenac sodium (50.30%). The extract also significantly inhibited the licking response at the dose of 500 mg/kg in both the early phase (55.11%, p<0.01) and the late phase (66.43%, p<0.01) of formalin test while the standard drug inhibited by 52.27% and 72.03%, respectively. The oral administration of the extract significantly (p<0.001) inhibited inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in a dose dependent fashion. The most prominent inhibition of 61.68% (250 mg/kg) and 73.65% (500 mg/kg) were observed at the 4th hour of study. Conclusion: The central and peripheral analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic bark extract of P. rubra may be due to the presence of various chemical constituents specially flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids or terpenoids. These experimental findings would further establish the scientific basis of the traditional uses of the plant in the management and/or control of pain as well as inflammatory conditions.