ABSTRACT
Setaria italica (Poaceae) has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, pain, arthralgia and many neurological disorders. The objective of the study is screening of ethanolic extract of Setaria italica seeds for possible anti-inflammatory and neuropharmacological activities in rats and mice respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan induced paw edema inhibition method while the neuropharmacological potential was evaluated by three separate methods: Hole-cross test, Open-field method and Phenobarbitone induced sleeping time test. The crude ethanolic extract of seeds of Setaria italica at 400 mg/kg body weight showed a strong anti-inflammatory activity with 20.16, 65.44, 65.5 and 71.15% inhibition of paw edema respectively after 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th hrs of carrageenan injection which is comparable to that of standard drug diclofenac sodium at 100 mg/kg body weight (% inhibition 92.3% at 4th hour **P<0.001). In Hole-cross test, ethanolic extracts of Setaria italica at 400 mg/kg body weight dose have prominent CNS depressant activity which is comparable to standard Diazepam. In open field test, S. italica at 400 mg/kg body weight significantly suppressed the movements which is comparable to standard Diazepam. In Phenobarbitone induced test, Setaria italica did not show any significant CNS-depressant activity. The findings of the studies demonstrate anti-inflammatory and neuropharmacological properties of Setaria italica which could be therapeutic option against inflammation and neurological disorders.