Abstract

ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS L. ROOTS AND BOILED BRASSICA OLERACEA L. VAR. CAPITATA L.F. RUBRA LEAVES

Al-Shahreer, Mohammad Omar Faruque, Tufeal, Mohammad Najmul Hossain, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background: Raphanus sativus and Brassica oleracea are two very common vegetable crops of Bangladesh. It was of interest to determine whether the roots of Raphanus sativus and boiled leaves of Brassica oleracea possess analgesic activities. Methods. Analgesic activity was determined through intraperitoneal acetic acid induced pain model in mice. Results. Administration of a methanolic extract of roots of Raphanus sativus at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight lead to reductions in the number of abdominal writhings (constrictions) in mice induced by intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid, respectively, by 7.4, 25.9, 33.3, and 40.7%. At the afore-mentioned four doses, administration of a methanolic extract of boiled Brassica oleracea leaves lead to reductions in the number of abdominal writhings by 14.8, 22.2, 37.0, and 44.4%, respectively. In comparison, administration of a standard analgesic drug, aspirin, at a dose of 200 mg per kg body weight, led to reductions in the number of writhings by 33.3%. Thus at the highest dose tested, both plant extracts demonstrated better analgesic activities than aspirin. Conclusion. Methanolic extract of Raphanus sativus roots and boiled Brassica oleracea leaves were effective in alleviation of pain in intraperitoneally acetic acid administered mice.

Keywords: Analgesic, Raphanus sativus, Brassica oleracea, Cruciferae.