Preclinical evaluation of analgesic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Costus pictus leaves in Wistar albino rats

Background: Pain is the most common symptom in various pathological conditions requiring appropriate treatment with analgesics. Use of analgesics is limited by various adverse drug effects. The present study was aimed to evaluate the analgesic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Costus pictus leaves in Wistar albino rats. Aim and Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of C. pictus leaves in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 30 Wistar albino rats and was divided into five groups each of six rats. Group-I (Sterile water-equivalent volume/po), Group-II Morphine (5 mg/kg/ip), Group-III CPHAE (200 mg/kg/po), Group-IV CPHAE (400 mg/kg/po), and Group-V Diclofenac (12.5 mg/kg/po). All the rats were administered respective drugs before starting of 30 min of experiment. Central analgesic (Tail clip and hot plate) and peripheral analgesic (Writhing test) methods were used to evaluate the analgesic activity. The data were recorded and analyzed with SPSS software. Results: Group-II, III, IV and V showed significant analgesic activity compared to Group-I in both central and peripheral animal models. Group-II showed significant effect compared to Group-III and IV in the central analgesic activity. Group-V showed significant effect compared to Group-III and IV in peripheral analgesic activity. Group-IV showed significant effect compared to Group-III. Conclusion: High dose of (400 mg/kg) C. pictus plant extract showed significant analgesic activity in the central and peripheral animal models compared to low dose.

Receptors involved in dexketoprofen analgesia in murine visceral pain

Various animal models, especially rodents, are used to study pain, due to the difficulty of studying it inhumans. Many drugs that produce analgesia have been studied and there is evidence among whichNSAIDs deserve to be highlighted. Dexketoprofen (DEX) provides a broad antinociceptive profile indifferent types of pain; therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the profile of antinociceptivepotency in mice. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the acetic acid abdominal constriction test(writhing test), a chemical model of visceral pain. Dose-response curves for i.p. DEX administration (1,3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg), using at least six mice in each of at least five doses, was obtained before and30 min after pre-treatment with different pharmacological agents. Pretreatment of the mice with opioidreceptor antagonists was not effective; however, the serotonin receptor antagonist and nitric oxidesynthase inhibitor produce a significant increase in DEX-induced antinociception. The data from thepresent study shows that DEX produces antinociception in the chemical twisting test of mice, which isexplained with difficulty by the simple inhibition of COX. This effect appears to be mediated by othermechanisms in which the contribution of the NO and 5-HT pathways has an important effect on DEXinduced antinociception.

A study to evaluate efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) as analgesic agent using albino wistar rats as an experimental animal model

Background: Pain is a very well-known symptom of many diseases and analgesics are used to relieve pain. The main problem with these drugs remains that of side effects. Herbal medicines are better in view of their cultural acceptability, better compatibility with human body systems and lesser incidence of side effects. Extract of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) plant have been traditionally used to treat pain in traditional medicine.Methods: Commercially available preparation of T. cordifolia plant has been used as test drug (aqueous extract). Healthy albino rats of either sex, weighing between 140-200 g were selected for the study, divided into 4 groups of 6 each (control, standard, 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg). Central analgesic activity was assessed by tail flick model (morphine as standard drug I.P). Acetic acid 1% 10 ml/kg aqueous solution I.P. was used for abdominal writhing model. Diclofenac 150 mg/kg oral as standard drug for assessment of peripheral analgesic activity. Results were analysed using SPSS version 16 and Microsoft office excel 2007.Results: T. cordifolia extract significantly increased the tail flick latency time (sec) (mean tail flick latency control, T100, T300 6.833±0.25 sec, 8.65±017 sec, 10.01±0.14 respectively) (p value control vs T100, T300 at 90 min, 120 min, 0.0573, 0.0198, 0.0198 in between group) and decreased number of abdominal writhing in comparison with the control group (p value <0.0001).Conclusions: Extract of T. cordifolia was found to possess analgesic activity and also exhibited dose and time dependant increase involving central and peripheral mechanisms. The analgesic activity of T. cordifolia found to be comparable to standard drug used.

Evaluation of the analgesic activity of the water soluble extract of stem of Tinospora cordifolia in experimentally induced pain in albino rats

Background: Pain and pyrexia are the warning signals, primarily protective in nature, that cause discomfort and suffering and may even be unbearable and incapacitating. The modern drugs (like opioids, NSAIDs, corticosteroids) currently used for the management of pain, fever and inflammatory conditions, present with many known adverse effects. Tinospora cordifolia known as Giloe, widely used in folk medicine due to its property to cure a number of diseases. Hence the present study was undertaken to explore the analgesic activity of water-soluble extract of stem of T. cordifolia in albino rats in experimentally induced pain.Methods: Present study was done in the department of pharmacology, albino rats were used to study the analgesic activity of T. cordifolia aqueous extract at the dose of 1.25g/kg,2.5g/kg and 5g/kg p.o. Various methods like Eddy’s hot plate, tail flick test and acetic acid induced writhing were used for the anti- nociceptive study.Results: In Eddy’s hot plate and tail flick test an increase in reaction time was observed with peak effect at 90min. Results were similar to the standard drug Tramadol in acetic acid induced writhing increase in time of onset, decrease in number and duration of writhing was observed.Conclusions: Aqueous extract of T. cordifolia was effective in all the three models of pain suggesting its possible action by central and peripheral mechanisms. Activity of T. cordifolia can be attributed to various phytoconstituents viz. protoberberine alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides and polysaccharides. It can be developed as potent analgesic agent in future.

The antinociceptive effect of artemisinin on the inflammatory pain and role of GABAergic and opioidergic systems

BACKGROUND: Pain is a complex mechanism which involves different systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. Due to the side effects of chemical analgesic agents, attention toward natural agents have been increased. Artemisinin is an herbal compound with widespread modern and traditional therapeutic indications, which its interaction with the GABAergic system and antinoniceptive effects on neuropathic pain have shown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of artemisinin during inflammatory pain and interaction with the GABAergic and opioidergic systems by using a writhing response test. METHODS: On the whole, 198 adult male albino mice were used in 4 experiments, including 9 groups (n = 6) each with three replicates, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of artemisinin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), bicuculline (2 mg/kg), saclofen (2 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), and ethanol (10 mL/kg). Writhing test responses were induced by i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% acetic acid, and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded. RESULTS: Results showed significant dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects from artemisinin which, at a 10 mg/kg dose, was statistically similar to indomethacin. Neither saclofen nor naloxone had antinociceptive effects and did not antagonize antinociceptive effects of artemisinin, whereas bicuculline significantly inhibited the antinocicptive effect of artemisinin. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that antinocicptive effects of artemisinin are mediated by GABAA receptors.

Further discussion of general movements quality assessment(writhing movements) in early prediction validity of motor developmental outcome of high-risk infants / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective@#To study the predictive value of general movements(GMs) quality assessment technique(writhing movements)on the motor development outcome of high-risk infants, so as to provide a reference basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment.@*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was made on the high-risk infants who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2018, and the GMs quality assessment was finished and followed up to 12-month-old among high-risk infants.The clinical diagnostic criteria for patients with cerebral palsy and Peabody Development Motor Scales-2(PDMS-2)were used to evaluate the motor development outcome of 12-month-old high-risk infants.Furthermore, the predictive value of GMs writhing movements on the motor development outcome of high-risk infants were evaluated.@*Results@#The predictive validity of writhing movements phase[cramped synchronized(CS)+ poor repertoire(PR)]for motor retardation and cerebral palsy in high-risk infants who met the inclusion criteria were as follows: the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value were 94.44%, 23.03%, 11.04%, 97.62% and 100%, 21.88%, 2.60%, 100%, respectively.The predictive sensitivity and negative predictive value of writhing movements PR for motor retardation and cerebral palsy were 92.31%, 100%; 98.18%, 100% respectively.The predictive sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of writhing movements CS for motor retardation and cerebral palsy were 100%, 95.81%, 100% and 100%, 95.31% and 100%, respectively.@*Conclusion@#GMs quality assessment(writhing movements)has high reliability in predicting the motor development outcome of high-risk infants, especially cramped-synchronized has significant value in early screening of children with motor retardation and cerebral palsy.

Further discussion of general movements quality assessment( writhing movements) in early prediction validity of motor developmental outcome of high-risk infants / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective To study the predictive value of general movements( GMs) quality assess-ment technique(writhing movements)on the motor development outcome of high-risk infants,so as to pro-vide a reference basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the high-risk infants who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from January 1,2017 to December 31,2018,and the GMs quality assessment was finished and followed up to 12-month-old among high-risk infants. The clinical diagnostic criteria for patients with cerebral palsy and Peabody Development Motor Scales-2 ( PDMS-2) were used to evaluate the motor development outcome of 12-month-old high-risk infants. Furthermore, the predictive value of GMs writhing movements on the motor development outcome of high-risk infants were evaluated. Results The predictive validity of writhing movements phase[cramped synchronized(CS) +poor repertoire(PR)]for mo-tor retardation and cerebral palsy in high-risk infants who met the inclusion criteria were as follows:the sensi-tivity,specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value were 94. 44%, 23. 03%, 11. 04%, 97. 62% and 100%,21. 88%,2. 60%,100%,respectively. The predictive sensitivity and negative predictive value of writhing movements PR for motor retardation and cerebral palsy were 92. 31%,100%;98. 18%, 100% respectively. The predictive sensitivity,specificity and negative predictive value of writhing movements CS for motor retardation and cerebral palsy were 100%,95. 81%,100% and 100%,95. 31% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion GMs quality assessment(writhing movements)has high reliability in predicting the motor development outcome of high-risk infants,especially cramped-synchronized has significant value in ear-ly screening of children with motor retardation and cerebral palsy.

Evaluation of analgesic activity of sodium valproate and ethanolic extract of Vitex negundo in experimental analgesic models in wistar rats

Background: NSAIDs and opioids are commonly prescribed medications to relieve pain of multiple aetiologies with no effect on the level of consciousness of the patient. They interfere with the mode of transmission of the pain message. A widely prescribed antiepileptic drug, sodium valproate has been used in various non-epileptic conditions like migraine prophylaxis and in the treatment of bipolar disorder because of the multiple mechanisms by which it acts. Vitex negundo has been investigated for antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, hepatoprotective and bronchial relaxant. Very few studies have been done to evaluate its analgesic activity and no study was done on analgesic activity with the combination of modern drug. The more important point to be noted is that Vitex negundo is a natural product and therefore unlikely to cause adverse effects when compared to the traditional drugs used to treat pain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate of analgesic activity of sodium valproate and docosahexaenoic in experimental analgesic models in wistar rats.Methods: For analgesic activity, a total of 36 adult Wistar albino rats were taken and divided into six groups of six rats each. Group I was control (distil water 1ml/kg), Group II received intraperitoneal injection of diclofenac sodium (10mg/kg), Group III, IV were injected intraperitoneal sodium valproate 200, 400mg/kg with distil water respectively and Group V, VI were given sodium valproate 200, 400mg/kg (intraperitoneal) plus EEVN 400mg/kg (orally) respectively. Analgesic activity was assessed using hot plate, tail flick and acetic acid writhing models.Results: Present study revealed that sodium valproate at higher doses (400mg/kg) used either alone along with EEVN (400mg/kg) showed statistically significant analgesic activity in comparison to control in various experimental models for assessing pain.Conclusions: Combination of sodium valproate along with EEVN has shown promising analgesic activity.

Analgesic activity of allopurinol and febuxostat in experimental animals

Background: Currently, two classes of analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioid analgesics are used to manage pain in different clinical situations. Chronic uses of these drugs have various adverse effects like gastric ulceration/bleeding, analgesic nephropathy and respiratory depression, physical dependence, addiction, respectively. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors, used for chronic gout, might have a role in alleviation of pain, as per literature survey. Hence, the present study was carried out to evaluate the potential analgesic activity of allopurinol and febuxostat in different experimental models.Methods: The analgesic activity of allopurinol and febuxostat was assessed by employing two different experimental pain models-tail flick latency model in rats for central analgesia and acetic acid induced writhing model in mice for peripheral analgesia and was compared with tramadol and aspirin.Results: Allopurinol and febuxostat produced significant central and peripheral analgesic effects as is evident from increase in reaction time in tail flick test and inhibition in number of writhes in acetic acid induced writhing test.Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate marked analgesic effect of allopurinol and febuxostat.

Anti-nociceptive effect of seed extract of Acacia tortilis in rodents

Background: Management of pain is a primary clinical concern for any pathology in medical field. Addiction liability of opioids and troublesome gastrointestinal side effects of NSAIDs leads to intensive research for compound with lesser side effects.The aim of the study to evaluate the anti-nociceptive activity of Acacia Tortilis Seed Extract (ATE) in experimental animals.Methods: First of all, animals were randomly allocated into four groups of six animals each. In acetic acid induced writhing test model, Group I (NC) served as vehicle control received saline/Tween 80 0.1%, 10ml/kg BW orally, group II (ATE-100) and III (ATE-200) received ATE in dose of 100 and 200mg/kg BW orally respectively and group IV received the standard drug diclofenac sodium in dose of 50 mg/kg BW orally. Group I to IV were same in rest of three experimental models. One additional group of standard drugs (group V) morphine sulfate in dose of 5 mg/kg BW subcutaneously (SC) was allocated for screening method hot plate and tail flick tests. In Formalin induced paw licking test, three additional groups (group V) morphine sulfate in dose of 5mg/kg BW SC, group VI- morphine+naloxone (5mg/kg SC +2mg/kg intra-peritoneally (IP) and group VII - ATE+ naloxone (200mg/kg BW orally +2mg/kg BW IP) were also made.Results: The ATE when administered orally in dose of 100 and 200mg/ kg body weight (BW), produced significant analgesic activity (P <0.01) in acetic acid induced writhing syndrome and late phase of formalin test. In the hot plate test in mice and tail flick test in rats, ATE in same doses also showed significant analgesic activity (P <0.05) which is almost equally efficacious to standard drug diclofenac sodium (50mg/kg BW orally) but far less efficacious than morphine sulfate (5mg/kg BW subcutaneous).ATE (200mg/Kg BW orally) activity did not blocked by naloxone (2mg/kg intra-peritoneal).Conclusions: ATE possesss significant anti-nociceptive activity as evidenced in all the animal models of nociception. It might exert its effect through the peripheral mechanism of analgesic action possibly by interference in biosynthesis, release and/or action of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Comparison of writhing movements assessments in terms of predictive validity of neurological outcome between high-risk preterm and full-term infants / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective@#To compare the predictive validity of writhing movements assessments of neurological outcome between high-risk preterm and full-term infants.@*Methods@#High-risk preterm and full-term infants who accepted the general movements(GMs) assessments from July 2013 to April 2014 and took part in follow-up regularly for 1 year in the Newborn Pediatrics Department of the Fifth Central Hospital of Tianjin were confirmed as the participants.GMs recordings during writhing movements period (at least once) and fidgety movements period (at least once) were collected and assessed.Neurological outcome was confirmed by Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2(PDMS-2) when the patients were 1 year old.Then the predictive validities of writhing movements assessments of neurological outcome between high-risk preterm and full-term infants were calculated and compared.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in the detection rate of writhing movements between preterm and full-term infant groups(χ2=1.592, P=0.207). There was no significant difference in the detection rate of fidgety movements between preterm and full-term infant groups(χ2=1.605, P=0.205). The sensitivity was 92.9%, the specificity was 90.0%, and the negative predictive value was 97.8% in the stage of writhing movement to the motor development outcome in preterm infant group; the sensitivity was 85.7%, the specificity was 94.0%, and the negative predictive value was 95.9% in the stage of fidgety movement to the motor development outcome in preterm infant group; there was a good consistency between the assessment of writhing movement and neurological outcome confirmed by PDMS-2(Kappa=0.703, P<0.01). The specificity was 71.0%, the positive predictive value was 55.6% in the stage of writhing movement to the motor development outcome in full-term infant group; there was a worse consistency between the assessment of writhing movement and neurological outcome confirmed by PDMS-2(Kappa=0.555, P<0.01). Both the sensitivity and the specificity were 75.0% in the stage of writhing movement to the cerebral palsy in preterm infant group; there was a poor consistency between the assessment of writhing movement and neurological outcome confirmed by PDMS-2(Kappa=0.311, P<0.05). The specificity was 85.4%, the positive predictive value was 22.2% in the stage of writhing movement to the cerebral palsy in full-term infant group; there was still a poor consistency between the assessment of writhing movement and neurological outcome confirmed by PDMS-2(Kappa=0.319, P<0.05). Both the sensitivity and the negative predictive value were 100.0% in the stage of fidgety movement to the cerebral palsy in both preterm and full-term infant groups.@*Conclusions@#The predictive validity of writhing movements assessments to the motor development outcome in preterm infant group is higher than in full-term infant group, and it can be used as a tool for early and accurate prediction of neural development outcome of brain injured premature infants.The predictive validity of writhing movements assessments of the cerebral palsy is poor.Both the sensitivity and the negative predictive value were high in the stage of fidgety movement to the cerebral palsy in both preterm and full-term infant groups, and it may be used to predict the cerebral palsy earlier.

Study on Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Mandelic Acid / 中国药师

Objective: To observe the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of mandelic acid. Methods: Fifty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:the blank control group (0. 1 ml/10 g), mandelic acid high (300 mg·kg-1), medium (200 mg ·kg-1 ) and low (140 mg·kg-1 ) dose groups, and the positive control ( aspirin) group, ig, qd. The analgesic effect of mandelic acid was observed by writhing test and hot plate method in mice. The ear swelling model caused by dimethyl benzene in mice was a-dopted to observe the analgesic effect. Results:Mandelic acid in each dose group could make the number of writhing in mice signifi-cantly reduced and pain threshold extended, and when compared with the blank control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 01). The writhing times of mice mandelic acid high dose group was fewer than that of the positive control group, and there was no statistically significant between the groups (P>0. 05). In low and medium dose group, the writhing times of mice were more than those of the positive control group, and there was a significant difference between the low dose group and the positive control group( P<0. 05). The pain threshold of the mice in each mandelic acid dose group was higher than that of the positive control group, the pain threshold increased significantly in the high dose group before and after the administration, and the difference was statistically signifi-cant when compared with the positive control group (P<0. 05). The effect of mandelic acid on the ear swelling of mice was not signifi-cant, and when compared with the blank control group, the difference was not significant (P>0. 05). Conclusion:Mandelic acid has significant analgesic effect, while anti-inflammatory effect is not obvious.

Synthesis of novel acacetin derivatives and evaluation of their activities / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To improve the in vivo analgesic activity of acacetin and find leads for the development of new drugs, novel acacetin derivatives containing alkyl amide groups with different length of carbon chain were designed and synthesized according to the molecular structure of the active hit compound found in our previous work. Methods Using apigenin as the initial chemical ma-terial,the acacetin was synthesized through 3 steps,then the target compounds were prepared by conjugating hydroxy group of acace-tin at position 7 with bromoalkyl amides. The analgesic activity of the target compounds was evaluated by acetic acid writhing model of mice. Results and Conclusion Novel acacetin alkyl amide derivatives showed more potent analgesic activities than that of clinical medicine diclofenac,which could be used as leads for further development of new drugs.

Effect of Acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV4) on Writhing Response and Vasomotor Substances in Rats with Dysmenorrhea Due to Coagulated Cold Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the analgesic effect of acupuncture at Guanyuan (CV4) and its effect on vasomotor substances in rats with dysmenorrhea due to coagulated cold syndrome. Method The coagulated-cold dysmenorrhea rat model was developed by Estrodiol benzoate and Oxytocin injectin plus physical freezing. The writhing response (writhing latency, writhing frequency, and writhing score) was observed, and the contents of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1a were detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result Compared with the saline water group, the writhing latency was significantly shortened, the writhing frequency was significantly increased, and the writhing score was more significantly increased in the model group (P0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the content of plasma 6-keto-PGF1a showed an increasing tendency (P>0.05) and the content of plasma TXB2 showed a decreasing tendency (P>0.05) in the acupuncture group. Conclusion The vasomotor substances are obviously disordered in the blood of cold-coagulated dysmenorrhea rat models. Acupuncture at Guanyuan can improve the writhing response and release pain, and meanwhile positively regulate the vasomotor substances such as TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1a. The vasomotor substances are plausibly one of the major substances in the action of acupuncture in preventing and treating dysmenorrhea.

Screening of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effective fractions from Cayratia japonica / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effective fractions from Cayratia japonica. Methods: The acute inflammatory models, such as xylene-induced ear edema, egg white-induced paw edema, and the chronic inflammatory model granuloma induced by cotton pellet implantation, were used in researching the inflammatory effects of the different fractions from C. japonica by ig administration. Meanwhile, the analgesic effects of the different fractions from C. japonica were observed by hot plate and acetic acid writhing test. Results: Compared with the model group, high-and low-dose water fraction and water extract could significantly inhibit ear edema in mice (P<0.05, 0.01) and paw edema in rats (P<0.05, 0.01). Also, water fraction and water extract decreased the granuloma of rats (P<0.01). Moreover, after the treatment with high-and low-dose petroleum ether fraction and water extract, the pain threshold with hot plate method was significantly prolonged (P<0.05, 0.01) compared with the model group and the data before the drugs administration. The writhing number was reduced after administration (P<0.01) compared to the model group. Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory effect of C. japonica mainly locates in the water fraction, and the analgesic effect is mainly the petroleum ether fraction.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Ocimum sanctum: a comparative study using animal modelsv.

Background: Ocimum sanctum commonly known as Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in the Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of O. sanctum aqueous leaf extract in thermal and chemical induced pain and inflammatory animal models. Methods: Wistar albino rats (150-200 g) and swiss albino mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. The control group, test group, and standard drugs group received normal saline, O. sanctum extract (100 mg/kg), aspirin, and celecoxib respectively, by oral feeding. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats. Analgesic effect was assessed by hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method in mice. Results: In carrageenan induced rat paw edema, maximum inhibition by O. sanctum, aspirin, and celecoxib were 13.43%, 30%, and 32%, respectively, and time to reach maximum inhibition for O. sanctum was 2 hrs. In cotton pellet induced granuloma, percentage inhibition by O. sanctum, aspirin, and celecoxib were 23.85%, 45.84%, and 42.77%, respectively. In hot plate method, maximum inhibition by O. sanctum, aspirin and celecoxib were 143.92%, 288.18%, and 260.59%, respectively. In acetic acid induced writhing method, percentage protection by O. sanctum, aspirin, and celecoxib were 50.2%, 71.4%, and 66.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates statistically significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of O. sanctum.

Evaluation of peripheral and central analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. in experimental animals.

Background: Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. (Verbenaceae) is an important and widely used medicinal plant. Though variously used in Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy system of medicine in the case of ailments such as diarrhoea, skin disorders, venereal and scrofulous complaints, wounds, post-natal complications, as anti-helminthic, and external applications on tumors, the plant needs thorough investigation for its specific medicinal activity. This study evaluates both the central and peripheral analgesic effect of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. infortunatum Linn. (EECI) in the experimental animals. Methods: Acute toxicity test was done following the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development guidelines. EECI (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg body weight [b.w.] p.o) was evaluated for central analgesic activity by the tail flick method and peripheral analgesic activity by the acetic acid (0.7%) induced writhing test, respectively. Using aspirin (300 mg/kg b.w. and 100 mg/kg b.w.) as the standard drug. Results: EECI significantly decreased the number of writhing in writhing test at all the doses (p<0.01) and increased the reaction time in tail-flick method (p<0.01) at all the doses. EECI in the dosage of 400 mg/kg b.w. produced effects which was comparable with that of the standard drug aspirin (p<0.001) in writhing test (p<0.001) and tail flick method (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study showed significant central and peripheral analgesic activity of EECI which may be attributed to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, phospholipase A2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. C. infortunatum Linn. as a commercial source of analgesic drug should be subjected to further research.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Lantana camara L. extract in mice / Efeitos antinociceptivos do extrato de Lantana camara L. em camundongos

ABSTRACT: he Lantana camara L. belongs to the family Verbenaceae, which contains several active compounds in leaves and roots and which are reported to have medicinal and insecticidal properties. Studies of plants within the same family show the existence of anti-inflammatory activity in paw edema induced by carrageenan, serotonin and histamine and analgesic activity in the acetic acid writhing and tail-flick tests. The present study investigated whether the L. camara extract (ACE) also exerts these effects. The ACE toxicity was studied in male mice, and the percentage of mortality recorded 7 days after treatment was assessed. The ACE was evaluated as an antinociceptive agent in the hot plate, tail-flick and acetic acid writhing tests at a nontoxic dose of 1.0 g/Kg. The results showed that 1.5 g/Kg of ACE was not able to cause death, and doses of 3.0 and 4.0 g/Kg caused 50% and 60% death, respectively, in male mice. In all of the antinociceptive tests, 1 g/Kg of ACE markedly reduced responses to pain. Our findings suggest that ACE may have active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties in much smaller doses than toxic.

RESUMO: Lantana camara L. pertence à família Verbenaceae, a qual contem muitos princípios ativos em suas folhas e raízes com propriedade medicinais e inseticidas. Estudos com plantas da mesma família mostram a existência de propriedades antinflamatórias no modelo de edema de pata induzido pela carragenina, serotonina e histamina, além da atividade analgésica nos testes de contorção induzida pelo ácido acético e da retirada da cauda por estímulo térmico. O presente trabalho investigou os efeitos tóxicos e antinociceptivos do extrato de L. camara (ACE) em camundongos. Para tanto, investigou-se a porcentagem de mortes em 7 dias após a administração de diferentes doses do extrato. Avaliou-se também os efeitos antinociceptivos do ACE pelos testes da placa quente, estimulação térmica da cauda e contorções abdominais induzidas pelo ácido acético com a dose não-tóxica [1,0 g/Kg]. Os resultados mostraram que 1,5 g/Kg do ACE não causou mortalidade, enquanto que 3,0 e 4,0 g/Kg promoveram 50 e 60% de mortalidade, respectivamente. Em todos os testes antinociceptivos, a dose de 1,0 g/Kg do ACE reduziu a resposta à dor. Os presentes resultados indicam que o ACE apresenta propriedades antinflamatórias e analgésicas em doses muito menores que a tóxica.

Evaluation of the anti-nociceptive potential of ethanolic extract of leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum in experimental animals.

Background: The plant Bryophyllum pinnatum is traditionally used for the treatment of pain and inflammation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of B. pinnatum (EEBP) using a hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing test in mice. Methods: In the hot plate analgesiometer method, the time between the placement on the hot plate and the occurrence of licking of the paws, shaking or jumping off from the plate was recorded as response latency. Total numbers of stretching episodes for 30 mins immediately after acetic acid injection in all the groups were recorded in acetic acid induced writhing method. Pentazocine (10 mg/kg intraperitoneal) and aspirin (500 mg/kg) were used as the standard drugs in the hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing method, respectively. Extract was used in 200, 300 and 400 mg/ kg doses. Results: At all the three doses the EEBP showed signifi cant (p<0.01) anti-nociceptive activity in experimental models of Eddy’s hot plate analgesiometer and acetic acid induced writhing method in mice. Conclusion: The observed pharmacological activities provide the scientifi c basis to support traditional claims, as well as exploring some new and promising leads in the management of pain.

Experimental evaluation of analgesic, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑platelet potential of Dashamoola.

Background: Dashamoola, in the form of arishta and kwath, is a commonly used classical Ayurvedic multi‑ingredient formulation for management of pain, arthritis and inflammatory disorders. Objective: To study analgesic, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑platelet activity of Dashamoola and its combination with aspirin. Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats (180‑200 g) and Swiss albino mice (20‑25 g) of either sex were divided randomly into five groups: Distilled water, aspirin (500mg/kg in rats; 722.2 mg/kg in mice), Dashamoolarishta (1.8 mL/kg in rats; 2.5 mL/kg in mice) and Dashamoolarishta with aspirin. Anti‑inflammatory activity was measured by change in paw volume in carrageenan‑induced inflammation, protein content in model of peritonitis and granuloma weight in cotton pellet granuloma. Analgesic effect was evaluated by counting number of writhes in writhing model. Maximum platelet aggregation and percentage inhibition of ADP and collagen‑induced platelet aggregation were estimated in vitro. Statistical analysis was done using one way ANOVA (post hoc Tukey’s test) and P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Dashamoolarishta and its combination with aspirin showed significantly (P < 0.01) less number of writhes. It showed significant (P < 0.001) anti‑inflammatory activity by paw edema reduction in rats, decrease in proteins in peritoneal fluid (P < 0.001) and decrease in granuloma weight (P < 0.05) as compared to respective vehicle control groups. Dashamoola kwath alone and in combination with aspirin inhibited maximum platelet aggregation and percent inhibition of platelets as compared to vehicle (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Dashamoola formulation alone and its combination with aspirin showed comparable anti‑inflammatory, analgesic and anti‑platelet effects to aspirin.