Abstract

This work was carried out to investigate the analgesic activity of dried seed ofDatura metel Linn. A concentrated aqueous extract was obtained, mimicking conditions used in traditional treatment setting, which includes dissolving the extract in water. As in this part of the world, experiments were carried out with the aqueous extract for its peripheral and central antinociceptive potentials on acetic acid-induced writhing and radiant heat tail-flick models in rats, respectively. There was sensation of pain by the rats administered with the extract in the two test models used, after 60 min and above of pretreatment with the seed extract of D. metel. Hence, the analgesic activity of D. metel seed extract was found not to be significant (P>0.05) on acetic acid induced model, as well as the radiant heat tail-flick model. The behavioural pattern of sedation and decreased appetite on administration of seed extract could be explained on the basis of the action of some receptors like µ-receptors in the CNS, which when stimulated have the intrinsic potential to reduce the distress or the affective component of pain without having any significant change in the intensity of the actual sensation.

Key words: Datura metel, seed extract, analgesic, antinociceptive.