Antinociceptive Effect of the Crude Ethanolic Extract of <i>Crataeva nurvala</i>. Buch. on Mice

Abstract

In order to scientifically appraise some of the anecdotal, folkloric, ethnomedical uses of (Bengali name - borun), the present study was undertaken to investigate the antinociceptive properties of the ethanolic extracts of Crataeva nurvala on mice in the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology Laboratory, Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, during the period from December 2003 to February 2004. The antinociceptive effect of crude ethanolic extracts was evaluated by ‘acetic acid' analgesic test method in mice. Crude ethanolic extracts of Crataeva nurvala (250-500 mg/kg PO) produced dose-dependent, significant (p < 0.05-0.001) antinociceptive effect against chemically induced nociceptive pain stimuli in mice. The results obtained in this study suggest that the antinociceptive effect of the extracts of Crataeva nurvala are peripherally and centrally-mediated. The findings of this experimental animal study indicate that crude ethanolic extracts of Crataeva nurvala possesses antinociceptive properties and thus lend pharmacological support to folkloric, anecdotal uses of ‘borun' in the treatment and/or management of painful, arthritic inflammatory conditions. Key Words: Antinociceptive, Crataeva nurvala, diclofenac sodium, writhing  doi:10.3329/bjvm.v4i1.1528 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006). 4 (1): 65-68