ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF GYMNOSPORIA EMERGINATA WILDENOW

Abstract

Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of leaves Gymnosporia emerginata was studied by peripheral/ non _narcotic model of nociception like acetic acid induced writing syndrome test and central/ narcotic models like tail flick tests. The methanolic  extract  of  the  plant,    administrated  orally  (300  mg/kg,  body  weight)  and  the  standard  drug  (piroxicam: 10mg/kg  body  weight,  P.O)  produced  significant  analgesic  activity  in  acetic  acid  induced  writhing  syndromes  as compared to the vehicle treated control group. In the tail flick test, the plant extract produced increase in reaction time which was significantly higher in the test and standard group compared to the control group. The plant possesses significant antinociceptive property as evidenced in all the animal models of nociception. It might possibly exert its effect through diverse mechanism that may involve both central and peripheral pathways. The preliminary phyto chemical investigation revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids and triterpene in the methanolic extract of leaves of Gymnospoira Emerginata., which may be responsible for its antinociceptive activity.