EVALUATION OF ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CROTALARIA BURHIA BUCH.-HAM. ROOTS IN RATS AND MICE

Aim: Present study was aimed to evaluate the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of Crotalaria Burhia roots (Henceforth, MECB) using various experimental animal model of pain. Materials & Methods: Analgesic activity was tested using acetic-acid induced writhing test, formalin test, hot-plate test and tail-flick test for pain in mice and rats. In this study we investigated analgesic activity of MECB at test doses of 100, 150 and 300 mg/kg, p.o. The effects following pretreatment with aspirin, morphine and naloxone were also studied. Standard methodologies were used for the screening of preliminary phytochemical constituents of extract. Results: Result showed significant analgesic activity of MECB in all paradigms. The MECB at the dose 150 mg/kg was shown stronger analgesic activity compared to MECB at the dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg. Moreover, analgesic activity of MECB was note in similar manner to aspirin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.). Naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.) abolished the analgesic activity of both morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) and MECB (150 mg/kg, p.o.) in a similar manner. Conclusion: Results revealed that the MECB had significant analgesic activity in experimental animals (rats & mice). The mechanism of action of MECB appears to both peripheral and centrally mediated action (may be through opioid receptor). Our studies support the traditional use of Crotalaria burhia and the roots of Crotalaria buria can be a good source as analgesic.