A comparative study of analgesic activity of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. callus and root extracts in experimental mice

Abstract

Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Plumbaginaceae) commonly known as ‘Chitrak’, is a perennial subscandant shrub and is listed as threatened medicinal plant. The roots of the plant were used traditionally as an abortifacient, germicidal and in treatment of liver disease, cancer, body pain, fever and inflammation. Since it is an threatened and potential medicinal plant therefore it is of great interest to evaluate the analgesic effect of callus developed by nodal explant and to compare its action with respect to root extract of parent plant. Dried callus and roots from parent plant were powdered and extracted with ethanol. The callus extract (PCE) and root extract (PRE) at dose 100,200 and 400 mg/kg were evaluated for peripheral and central analgesic activity by glacial acetic acid induced writhing and tail immersion model respectively. PRE significantly (P<0.01) reduced the writhing count at 200 mg/kg whereas PCE alters the pain threshold significantly at 400 mg/kg. In tail immersion model, PRE increase the reaction time significantly (P<0.01) at 400 mg/kg. while PCE failed to alters the reaction time significantly throughout the observation period (upto 3 hrs). In conclusion, a massive light creamish brown and granular callus formed with MS M\medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid (1.5 ppm) and kinetin (0.25 ppm) and it possess a significant peripheral analgesic activity,