ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF JASMINUM SCANDENS VAHL.

Abstract

In hot plate test and acetic acid induced writhing test methods the ethanolic extract of Jasminum scandens Vahl. (JS) produced significant antinociceptive effect in mice. A sub-effective dose of JS extract also potentiated the analgesic activity of sub-effective doses of both morphine and aspirin. While trying to explore the mechanism of antinociceptive action of JS, it was observed that naloxone did not antagonize this effect in albino mice in hot plate test. This indicates that an opioid mechanism may not be responsible for the central analgesic activity of JS and therefore some other mediators might be involved for its central analgesic activity. In comparison to both of the standard drugs morphine and aspirin, more than ten times doses of JS extract were required to produce significant antinociceptive activity. The observations suggest that JS possesses both central and peripheral analgesic activity. It may be useful in relieving both the visceral and integumental pain.