Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences (Dec 2009)
Analgesic Effects of Various Extracts of Root of Abutilon indicum linn.
Abstract
<div>Abutilon indicum (Linn.) sweet (Malvaceae) commonly called “Country Mallow” is a perennial plant up to 3m in</div><div>height. It is abundantly found as weed in sub-Himalayan tract and in hotter parts of India. The plant is traditionally</div><div>used for treatment of several diseases like bronchitis, body ache, toothache, jaundice, diabetes, fever, piles,</div><div>leprosy, ulcers, cystitis, gonorrhea, diarrhoea etc. Abutilon indicum Linn. is reported to have hepatoprotective,</div><div>hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, male contraceptive and antidiarrhoeal activities. The present study was done to</div><div>evaluate the analgesic potential of various extracts of root of Abutilon indicum Linn. The powdered root (900 g)</div><div>was subjected to successive solvent extraction with solvents in increasing order of polarity viz. petroleum ether</div><div>(60-80 C°), methanol and ethanol by soxhlet apparatus for 72 hrs. The marc was extracted by cold maceration for</div><div>72 hrs. to obtain water soluble extract. Peripheral analgesic activity was studied using acetic acid induced writhing</div><div>method in Swiss albino mice (20-30 g) while central analgesic activity was evaluated by tail flick method and</div><div>tail immersion method. Results indicated that all the tested extracts except methanol extract exhibited significant</div><div>analgesic activity in both animals’ models. Petroleum ether extract showed higher analgesic activity. The activity</div><div>may be related with central mechanism or due to peripheral analgesic mechanisms. Thus the present study authenticates</div><div>the traditional use.</div>
