Study of antinociceptive effects on acute pain treated by bioactive fractions of Hyptis suaveolens

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the ethanolic extract and its fractions of Hyptis suaveolens (H. suaveolens) for antinociceptive and central nervous system depressant effects. Methods: Dried and coarsely powdered aerial parts of plant material were extracted in 80% aqueous ethanol. Further extract was fractionated using solvents of varying polarity. Analgesic properties was assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate test and locomotor activity were performed in mice using hole board test. Results: The petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts had produced significant analgesic properties and were found to be maximum when tested at 400 mg/kg. Both extracts significantly increased the latency time in hot plate test and the action was antagonised by naloxone. The naloxone was not able to alter H. suaveolens induced antinociceptive effect in writhing test. Conclusions: From the point of central nervous system depressant and good protective effect on chemical and thermal pain stimuli, it indicates that H. suaveolens might have resulted from activation of opioid and/or peripheral receptors.

Keywords

• Antinociceptive activity
• Analgesia
• Central nervous system activity
• Aspirin
• Morphine
• Naloxone
• Hyptis suaveolens