Abstract

Picrasma javanica Blume. is locally known as Nilghanta. Traditionally, the plant is used as an anti-pyretic. The aim of this study was to determine the biological properties of P. javanica leaf extract. The writhing test and tail flick response were determined to assess peripheral and central analgesic activities, respectively. Castor oil was fed orally to induce diarrhea in the test animals. Paw edema method was followed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential. Neuropharmacological property of the extract was determined using phenobarbitone sodium. 400 mg/kg body weight dose of P. javanica leaf extract inhibited 70.41% writhing which was comparable to that of diclofenac sodium (75.71% inhibition). The extract also reduced diarrheal feces by 63.10% and carrageenan induced rat paw edema by 91.49% at the same dose. On the other hand, P. javanica extract increased the duration of phenobarbitone sodium-induced sleep. P. javanica leaf extract is a suitable future candidate for phytochemical screening.

Key words: Acetic acid, writhing, castor oil, paw edema, carrageenan.