Investigation of analgesic and neuropharmacological activities of Asparagus racemosus root extracts

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the analgesic activity and neropharmacological activity of different root extracts of Asparagus racemosus. In acetic acid-induced writhing method the methanolic extract showed significant analgesic activity at the doses of 150 mg/kg (p<0.05) as compared to control group, when analyzed statistically by independent sample t-test. The neropharmacological activity was performed by open field test and forced swimming test. In open field test four parameters were utilized to assess anxiety and fear in rodents. But methanol and chloroform extracts could not show any significant effect on movement, standing and center. Rather methanol extracts increased locomotor activity in a dose dependent manner. Interestingly higher dose of methanol and both dose of chloroform showed significant effect on defecation (p<0.05) as compared to control group, when analyzed statistically by independent sample t-test. In forced swimming test the methanol and chloroform extract showed significant anti-depressant activity consecutively at the dose of 150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg (P<0.05) as compared to control group, when analyzed statistically by independent sample t-test.