Evaluation of analgesic activity of fruits of Semecarpus anacardium Linn.

Abstract

There are numerous plants which are used in Ayurveda and other traditional system of medicine but their claim is not yet evaluated scientifically in laboratory Animals. Present study was intended to evaluate an analgesic activity of Semecarpus anacardium fruits extract in mice to confirm ethnomedical claim made by traditional health healer. Dried fruits of plant were extracted in methanol using Soxhlet extractor. Methanolic extract was evaporated using rota evaporator and stored at cool and dry place. Extract was orally administered in mice (200 & 400 mg/kg bw) and evaluated using hot plate and tail immersion methods. Diclofenac Na (50 mg/kg) was taken as a standard drug. Significant analgesic activity comparable with standard dose of diclofenac Na was observed in both the cases. This confirms ethnomedical claim of some workers regarding analgesic activity of the plant.