Diuretic, laxative and toxicity studies of Cocculus hirsutus aerial parts

The aqueous extract of the Cocculus hirsutus aerial parts (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant diuretic activity and laxative effect in rats. The acute toxicity, orally evaluated in mice, was found to be higher than 3000 mg/kg.     

Antinociceptive effect and acute toxicity of the Hyptis suaveolens leaves aqueous extract on mice

The aqueous extract of Hyptis suaveolens leaves was studied for their antinociceptive property in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. Oral administration of the aqueous extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced the number of writhings induced by acetic acid, decreased the licking activity of the early phase in formalin test and increased the reaction time in hot-plate test. The antinociceptive effect was significantly antagonized by naloxone (3 mg/kg; i.p.). Preliminary acute toxicity study showed that no animal death with doses up to 5 g/kg (p.o.).     

CNS depressant activity of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides

The aqueous root extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides was used to study the central nervous system depressant activity pattern of the plant. The extract protected mice from strychnine-induced convulsion at 400 mg/kg p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. A dose-dependent prolongation of seizure latency was produced at 400 mg/kg, p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. for strychnine-induced seizure; and at 400 mg/kg p.o. and 100 mg/kg i.p. for picrotoxin-induced seizure. Moreover, the CNS depressant activity of the extract (200 mg/kg p.o. and 50 mg/kg i.p.) was demonstrated by a significant prolongation of 40 mg/kg, pentobarbitone sleeping time, and significant reduction in exploratory behavior of mice at a dose of 400 mg/kg p.o., with both effects comparable to effects produced by 4 mg/kg chlorpromazine. Acute oral toxicity test, up to 14 days, did not produce any visible signs of toxicity; however, acute (24 h) i.p toxicity test produced a dose-dependent mortality with LD50 of 455.2 mg/kg.     

Antiinflammatory activity of Polygala japonica extract

The antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of Polygala japonica (AEPJ) was investigated in mice and rats to find the pharmacological basis for its ethnomedical use. The extract produced a significant inhibition of peritoneal and cutaneous vascular permeability induced by acetic acid and histamine, respectively and ear swelling induced by picryl chloride in mice at the dose of 25.0 mg/kg. Moreover, the extract markedly inhibited footpad edema induced by histamine in rats, and decreased prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) content in carrageenan-induced air-pouch at doses of 12.5 and 6.25 mg/kg respectively.     

Effect of roots aqueous extract of Delphinium denudatum on morphine-induced tolerance in mice

The aqueous extract of Delphinium denudatum (Dd) roots showed a significant effect against morphine- (10 mg/kg) induced tolerance and dependence in mice. Oral administration of the extract (200-1600 mg/kg) showed a significant dose-dependent inhibition of naloxone- (1 mg/kg) induced withdrawal.     

Antinociceptive activity of Zizyphus spina-christi root bark extract

The antinociceptive effect of the aqueous extract of Zizyphus spina-christi root bark was investigated in mice and rats. Acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin and thermal (hot plate) tests were used. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect in all the tests used. Its i.p. LD50 in mice was 2236.07 mg/kg.     

Evaluation of analgesic effect of Datura fastuosa leaves and seed extracts

The aqueous extracts of Datura fastuosa leaves and seeds were evaluated for the analgesic effect on acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate reaction in mice. According to the results, D. fastuosa leaves and seeds extracts at oral doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg are effective as analgesic. The analgesic activity of leaf extract is reduced by naloxone but not that of seed extract.     

Hypolipidemic activity of Acorus calamus L. in rats

The rhizomes of Acorus calamus are empirically used in the treatment of a wide variety of human diseases. Administration of the 50% ethanolic extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) as well as saponins (10 mg/kg) isolated from the extract demonstrated significant hypolipidemic activity. On the contrary, the aqueous extract showed hypolipidemic activity only at a dose of 200 mg/kg.     

Anti-nociceptive activity of the aqueous extract of Erythrina velutina leaves

Anti-nociceptive and anti-oedematogenic effects of the aqueous extract from the leaves of Erythrina velutina were tested through experimental models of nociception in mice and paw oedema induced by carrageenin in rats. The extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) did not change the carrageenin-induced paw oedema. In the hot plate test the extract also did not alter the latency time for mice liking the rear paws. Moreover, the extract (600 mg/kg) decreased by 96.5% the paw liking time in the second phase of the formalin test. This effect was antagonized by naloxone (5 mg/kg). In the acetic acid-induced writhing test, the extract (300 and 600 mg/kg) reduced the number of writhing by 88.8% and 96.4%, respectively. Our present results demonstrated that the crude extract from the leaves of E. velutina has anti-nociceptive but not anti-oedematogenic properties.     

Effect of Mitragyna speciosa aqueous extract on ethanol withdrawal symptoms in mice

Administration of the aqueous extract of Mitragyna speciosa at a dose of 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited ethanol withdrawal-induced behaviors that included rearing, displacement and head weaving. The results also showed that at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/kg M. speciosa showed antidepressant activity without effect on the spontaneous motor activity.     

Analgesic and antipyretic activities of the aqueous extract of Urtica macrorrhiza in experimental animals

Oral administration of the aqueous extract of the stem of Urtica macrorrhiza (100-400 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced the number of writhings and stretchings induced by acetic acid and decreased licking activity of the late phase in formalin test at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. At doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. it suppressed yeast-induced fever in rats.     

Acute toxicity and diuretic studies of Rungia repens aerial parts in rats

Ethanolic extract of Rungia repens aerials parts (300 and 600 mg/kg p.o) showed diuretic activity in rats. The acute toxicity, orally evaluated in mice, was found to be higher than 3000 mg/kg.     

Evaluation of the antitussive effect of stigma and petals of saffron (Crocus sativus) and its components, safranal and crocin in guinea pigs

The antitussive activity of Crocus sativus stigma and petal extracts and its components, safranal and crocin, was evaluated using the nebolized solution of citric acid 20% in guinea pigs. The extract and agents were injected intraperitoneally. The ethanolic extract of C. sativus (100-800 mg/kg) and safranal (0.25-0.75 ml/kg) reduced the number of cough. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of petal and crocin did not show antitussive activity.     

Hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the aqueous leaf and seed extract of Phyllanthus amarus in mice

The effect of the aqueous leaf and seed extracts of Phyllanthus amarus at oral dose of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg was investigated for their antidiabetic and anti-lipidemic potentials. The extract produced a dose-dependent decrease in the fasting plasma glucose and cholesterol, and reduction in weights in treated mice. The results suggest that the extract could be enhancing peripheral utilization of glucose but the mechanisms on how this works remain unclear.     

Antinociceptive activity of Malvastrum coromandelinum

The aerial parts of Malvastrum coromandelinum showed antinociceptive activity in the 0.6% acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice, the effects of acetone extract (200 mg/kg, p.o.) being comparable with acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg, p.o.)     

Studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of Entada abyssinica.

The defatted methanolic extract of Entada abyssinica was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic models of inflammation. The extract (50--200 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited dose-dependent and significant inhibition of both the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and granuloma tissue formation in rats. The extract (50--200 mg/kg, p.o.) was also found to inhibit the acetic acid-induced vascular permeability in a dose-dependent fashion in mice. This study demonstrated the anti-inflammatory activity of Entada abyssinica.     

Antinociceptive activity of Eupatorium buniifolium aqueous extract

The antinociceptive properties of the aqueous extract of Eupatorium buniifolium aerial parts were investigated in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. Oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg produced an inhibition of 42.3% and 73.9%, respectively, of the abdominal writhes induced by acetic acid in mice. This antinociceptive effect was not reversed by pretreatment with naloxone. In the formalin test, the administration of 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o. had no effects in the first phase (0-5 min) but produced a dose-dependent analgesic effect on the second phase (15-30 min) with inhibitions of the licking time of 38.9% and 57.3%, respectively. In the hot plate test, no effect was seen at the dose of 500 mg/kg p.o.     

Studies on analgesic activity of Cleome viscosa in mice

The analgesic activity of methanol extract of Cleome viscosa, given orally at the doses of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg was evaluated for its analgesic activity in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing and the tail flick, tail clip, tail immersion methods. The extract showed promising activity in all the tests.     

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Trewia polycarpa roots

The alcoholic extract of Trewia polycarpa roots, when administered orally to rats at doses of 50-400 mg/kg, exhibited a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in both acute and chronic models. It also showed a significant antinociceptive action mice in the dose range of 25-200 mg/kg. The extract did not reveal any toxicity in rats up to a dose of 3.2 g/kg (p.o.). It showed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, quinones and glycosides on phytochemical screening.     

Antinociceptive activity of the aerial parts of Solanum xanthocarpum

The methanolic extract of Solanum xanthocarpum aerial parts, given orally at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, showed significant antinociceptive activity in mice.