CNS Depressant and Analgesic Activity of a Fraction Isolated from an Ethanol Extract of<i>Curcuma amada</i>Rhizomes

Abstract

In our earlier studies, an ethanol extract of Curcuma amada Roxb. rhizome was reported for anti-inflammatory activity. This ethanol extract was successively partitioned with hexane and ethyl acetate. Each fractionated extract was screened for anti-inflammatory activity, and the most active fraction was purified by column chromatography. This resulted in isolation of the active fraction F, which was characterized by spectral methods. Fraction F was studied for its effect on general behavioral studies in albino mice. Based on these observations, pharmacological investigations were carried out by adopting the following methods in albino mice: effect on exploratory activity, barbiturate sleeping time, acetic acid–induced writhing, and tail-flick test. This fraction showed reduction in exploratory activity and potentiation of barbiturate sleeping time, indicating CNS depressant activity. Further, it also showed reduction in acetic acid–induced writhings, tail-flick response, and carrageenan-induced inflammation, indicating potential antinociceptive and antiphlogistic activity, respectively.