Assessment of analgesic and neuropharmacological activity of leaves of Bixa orellana (Family: Bixaceae)

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <em>Bixa orellana</em> Linn, (Family: Bixaceae) commonly known as “Lipstick tree” have been extensively used traditional medicine in India and others part of the world to cure laxative, cardiotonic, hypotensive, expectorant, antibiotic, antipyretic, aphrodisaic etc. It has been found that <em>B. orellana</em> contains different phytochemical groups such as phenolic compounds, glycosides, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, saponins. The project work has been designed to investigate the phytochemical nature (group determination of plant constituents), analgesic and neuropharmacological activity of <em>B. orellana</em> leaves extract.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Analgesic activity of <em>B. orellana</em> was determined by acetic acid induced writhing, hot plate, tail immersion and paw tickling test/formalin induced nociceptor test. Open field, hole cross, tail suspension and light/dark box test were employed for the assessment of neuropharmacological activity of <em>B. orellana</em>. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of reducing sugar, alkaloids, glycosides, gum, terpenoids, tannins, steroids and flavonoids. In analgesic activity test, the sample showed significant analgesic activity. The dose-dependent neuropharmacological activity is shown in neuropharmacological activity test.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our exploration suggests that <em>B. orellana</em> contains bioactive compounds and it should be studied further for isolation and purification of such novel compounds.</p>

Evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Bacopa monnieri (L.)

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <em>Bacopa monnieri</em> (L.) locally called Brahmi of Scrophulariaceae family has a long history for numerous therapeutic purposes like memory enhancing, antianxiety and antiepileptic agent. The aim of this study was to investigate phytochemical screening, antibacterial, cytotoxic, analgesic and neuropharmacological activities of <em>B. monnieri</em>.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The antibacterial activity was performed by disc diffusion method. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay was carried out to determine cytotoxic potential. Acetic acid induced writhing method was employed for the assessment of analgesic activity of <em>B. monnieri</em> extracts. The neuropharmacological activity was determined by hole cross, open field and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time test using Swiss Albino mice as experimental animal.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Phytochemical screening revealed that <em>n-</em>hexane, dichloromethame and methanolic extracts contained reducing sugar, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. The sample showed comparable antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity. In analgesic activity test, methanol soluble extract showed highest activity compared to standard drug, Diclofenac sodium. The neuropharmacological activity of three extracts showed moderate activity as compared with standard drug, Diazepam and Thiopental sodium.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our exploration suggests that <em>B. monnieri</em> contains bioactive compounds and it should be studied further for isolation and purification of such novel compounds.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>