Abstract

EVALUATION OF HYDROETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF OPUNTIA MONACANTHA HAW FOR ANALGESIC ACTIVITY

Muhammad Kifayatullah*, Ishrat Waheed, Sreemoy kanti Das, Mrutyunjay Sisugoswomi, Izharullah

ABSTRACT

Opuntia monacantha Haw belongs to family of Cactaceae, having great potency in treating certain common diseases like fever, urinary problem, tumors, inflammations, piles, anemia, ulcers and bronchitis traditionally. In research papers the cladodes of Opuntia monacantha Haw has shown good effects against Diabetes, Microbes and Oxidative stress; however no work was carried out for in vivo analgesic activity. Here is an attempt was made to investigate the hydroethanolic extract of Opuntia monacantha Haw for analgesic activity compared to that of Aspirin and Diclopenic drug as a reference drug. The experiment was done at the doses of 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight in Balb C mice. The peripheral analgesic activity was studied by acetic acid induced writhing and central analgesic activity was studied by hot plate method. Intraperitonial administration of extract produced significant (p< 0.05) reduction in number of writhing compared to control. In hot plate method the extract significantly prolong paw licking (p< 0.001) in comparison with Diclopenic sodium. Pretreatment with Naloxone decrease reaction time and non significant p> 0.05 while combined treatment prolonged the latency time p< 0.001 showed the involvement of endogenous opioid peptides in the treatment of analgesic response. The systemic pretreatment of mice with Caffeine (10mg/kg) decrease the latency time while combined treatment significantly increased p˂ 0.001the analgesic response. Pretreatment with MSG alone decreased the latency time while combined treatment prolonged the latency time significantly p<0.001 showed the involvement of NMDA receptors in analgesic effect.

Keywords: Opuntia monacantha Haw, Aspirin, Diclopenic sodium Caffeine, MSG, Naloxone.