Abstract

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Clausena dentata in experimental animal models

Author(s): M.Sivakumar, D.Chamundeeshwari, N.Vanitha Rani, P.Thennarasu, L.H.Thameem ul Ansari, K.Kousalya, C.Uma Maheswara Reddy

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of hexane, chloroformandmethanol extracts of the root bark of Clausena dentata were evaluated in experimental animals of either sex. The extractswere vacuumdried and tested for analgesic activity inWister mice and anti-inflammatory activity inWister rats at oral dose levels of 50,100 and 150mg/kg bodyweight. The analgesic activitywas studied by tail-flick method using Paracetamol 100mg/kg oral dose as standard. The basal reaction time to radiant heat was recorded by pacing the tip (last 1-2 cm) of the tail on the radiant heat source.Acut – off period of 10 seconds was observed to prevent damage to the tail. The reaction time was recorded at 15, 30, 45 and 60 min after treatment. The percentage protection against tail-flicking was calculated, allowing maximumtolerability time of 10 sec. The anti-inflammatory activitywas studied by carrageenan induced paw-edema using Diclofenac Sodium at a oral dose of 20mg/kg as standard. The initial paw volume was measured plethysmographically within 30 sec of the injection. The relative increase in the paw volume was measured in control, standard and extract treated groups 1 hr and 4 hr after carrageenan injection. The hexane, chloroform andmethonolic extracts exhibited significant analgesic activity (p<0.01) at a dose of 150mg/kg.Anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts manifested only after 4 hours of carrageenan administration. The percentage reduction of edema was found to be 73% with hexane, followed by 71% with methanol and 55.2%with chloroformat 150mg/kg oral dose (p<0.01). The results indicated that, the hexane extract of Clausena dentata exhibited more significant activity at a dose of 150mg/kg than methanol and chloroformextracts in the treatment of pain and inflammation.