Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Datura metel Linn. Root in Experimental Animal Models.

Datura metel (Syn: D. fastusa) [Family: Solanaceae] were extracted with ethanol and evaluated for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects by employing various models such as acetic acid-induced writhing test, tail immersion test, hotplate method and carrageenan induced paw edema tests. The extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg concentration significantly (p<0.001) reduced the number of writhes produced by acetic acid (0.6%) and significantly increased the reaction time in thermal models such as hot water tail immersion, hot plate method (p<0.001). There was a significant reduction in the paw volume in the animals treated with D. metel extract (p<0.001). Aspirin (100 mg/kg), Pentozicine (5 mg/kg) and Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) were employed as the standard drugs for comparison. The results of the present study revealed that the ethanolic extract of roots of Datura metel exhibits a potential analgesic and antiinflammatory effects.