EVALUATION OF ANALGESIC ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MEDICINAL PLANT JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS LINN

Abstract

The present study evaluates the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of Juniperus communis (Cupressaceae) in adult Albino mice. The extract at a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg were investigated for its analgesic activity with Acetylsalicylic acid (100mg/kg) as standard. Different in vivo tests like Acetic acid induced writhing, formalin test and tail flick tests were performed to establish this activity. The effect of the extract and Pethidine(10mg/kg) i.p on tail flick test was inhibited by Naloxone(2mg/kg) i.p. The extract showed a dose dependent and significant (P<0.01) inhibition of writhing response. In case of formalin test, the extract showed prominent dose dependent inhibition in the late phase comparable to Aspirin (P<0.01). The tail flick test revealed the central activity of the extract mainly after 30mins of administration. This central analgesic activity was confirmed by the blocking effect of naloxone. This has been observed that the plant showed significant activity as antinociceptive agent and was proved to act both peripherally and centrally. So this study provides the rationale behind the use of this plant as a potent and safe analgesic in the future.