ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY OF COLD WATER EXTRACT OF DESMODIUM TRIFLORUM IN RATS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine antinociceptive potential of cold water extract (CWE) of Desmodium triflorum (Family: Fabaceae / Leguminosae) plant. One of four doses of CWE (dose 4000 mg/ml, 2000 mg/ml and 1000 mg/ml) or 1 ml tap water was orally administered to male wistar rats and antinociceptive activity was ascertained using tail flik and hot plate techniques. The results showed that CWE possessed marked antinociceptive activity when evaluated in the hot plate test but not in the tail flick test. Antinociceptive action was dose- dependent. Further, it had a rapid onset (1h) and a short duration (3h) of action. The CWE was safe and was not accompanied with side effects even after sub chronic administration. The antinociception action was mediated by supraspinal mechanisms, possibly via alkaloids and flavonoids. It is concluded that CWE of D. triflorum may be used as a cheap, orally active safe antinociceptive drug.