Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant and Analgesic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Drypetes roxburghii Wall in Experimental Animal Model

Drypetes roxburghii Wall also called Putranjiva roxburghii Wall is a deciduous, evergreen tree and is used in cold, fever, rheumatism and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic and CNS depressant property of methanol extract of seeds of Drypetes roxburghii Wall in mouse model. The analgesic activity of methanol extract was evaluated by Tail flick method. CNS depressant activity was determined using digital Actophotometer. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of methanol extract showed the presence of phenols, alkaloid, saponin, steroids, flavonoids, and glycosides while terpenoids and tannin were not detected. In analgesic activity, the reaction time increased significantly for the extract and standard groups when compared to the predrug treatment. The locomotor activity count in the extract and standard drug treated group was significantly reduced when compared to control group. The analgesic and CNS depressant activity of extract was found to be more than that of the standard drug. Further studies are needed to isolate the active constituents responsible for the observed effect and to reveal the possible mechanisms of action responsible for the analgesic and CNS activity.