Evaluation of analgesic potential of Boerhavia diffusa roots in albino mice

The present research was designed to evaluate the analgesic potential of Boerhavia diffusa root powder 150 mg/kg, p.o in albino mice. Boerhavia diffusa is a popular herb in ayurveda which is also known as Punarnava. Boerhavia diffusa root powder was procured from a local ayurvedic store. The analgesic effect of the root powder was evaluated by using acetic acid induced writhings test in mice. It was found that Boerhavia diffusa root powder at a dose of 150 mg/kg treated for 15 days has significantly inhibited pain induced by acetic acid by decreasing the number of writhing responses such as extension of hind limbs (22±0.77), abdominal constrictions (13±0.08) and trunk twisting (20±0.55) when compared to control treated mice i.e extension of hind limbs (38±0.17), abdominal constrictions (26±1.23) and trunk twisting (24±0.55) in control mice. The results were compared with standard diclofenac sodium (25 mg/kg, p.o) treated mice. Hence it is evident from the above results that boerhavia diffusa at 150 mg/kg possesses significant analgesic potential.