Pre-clinical investigation of analgesic, anti-diarrheal and CNS depressant effect of Pterocarpus indicus in Swiss albino mice

Abstract

Objective: Pterocarpous indicus is a plant, which is traditionally used for the treatment of tumours, headaches, fever, constipation, stomach pains and female irregular ministration. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the possible analgesic, anti-diarrheal and neuropharmacological activities of the alcoholic extract of P. indicus leaves in mice. Materials and Methods: Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 25-30gm were used for the study. The analgesic activity was measured by acetic acid-induced writhing inhibition test. Anti-diarrheal activity was assessed using castor oil-induced diarrhea inhibition test and the neuropharmacological activities were evaluated using hole cross, hole board, and open field tests. The extract was used at 250 and 500mg/kg b.w. Results: The experimental results obtained indicated that the alcoholic extract significantly inhibited the acetic acid induced writhing in mice models at 250 and 500mg/kg body weight. The extract showed a significant sedative effect in hole cross test at 250 and 500 mg/kg. In hole board test, the extract exhibited significant (p <0.001) anxiolytic-like activity at 500 mg/kg. The extract showed no significant anti-diarrheal effect in experimental animals. Conclusion: This investigation confirmed that alcoholic extract of P. indicus has good analgesic and neuropharmacological property. Further studies are required to elucidate the possible mechanisms and to isolate the compounds from the alcoholic extract of P. indicus responsible for these bioactivities.