Toxicological and pharmacological activity of ethanolic extracts of Catharanthus roseus in expermental animals

Catharanthus roseus is a perennial plant commonly seen in tropical countries. Catharanthus roseus has been not been exploited for toxicological and pharmacological activities other than anticancer effect. Hence this study aim's to screen ethanolic extract of Catharanthus roseus (CR extract) for toxicological and pharmacological (pain and inflammation) studies. Acute and sub-acute toxicity was carried out by using OECD guidelines. The analgesic activity was carried out using Eddy's hot plate method. The anti-inflammatory activity was done by carragen induced paw edema method. Two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg po) were used for the study. The animals were divided into four groups (n=6) and the results were expressed in “Mean ± SEM”. No behavioral changes were observed for acute studies. Hematological parameter showed alternation in the group treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg CR. Hot plate test showed analgesic activity in both doses when compared to positive control group. In formalin induced paw edema, inhibition of inflammation were recorded only in the group treated with 500 mg/kg CR extracts. The results demonstrated that, single dose and short term oral intake of CR extract caused no toxic effect. CR extract showed significant analgesic and antiinflammatory activity in the above study.