Evaluation of Analgesic and Antipyretic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Catharanthus roseus (Nayantara) in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Catharanthus roseus has traditionally been used for relieving pain and inflammation. Few studies have been done to scientifically evaluate its analgesic and anti-pyretic activity. Hence our aim was to evaluate the analgesic and anti-pyretic activity of leaves of Catharanthus roseus in experimental animals. Objective: To evaluate the analgesic and antipyretic activity of Catharanthus roseus leaf extract in animal models. Study Design: Experimental study of analgesic and antipyretic activity in animal models. Place of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam, India. Methodology: We prepared ethanolic extract of the powdered leaves of Catharanthus roseus (CREE). 30 healthy albino mice (20-35 g) of either sex were assigned to five groups of six animals each and administered the vehicle or drug as follows - Group I or normal control (gum acacia 10 ml/kg), Group II (CREE 100 mg/kg), Group III (CREE 250 mg/kg), Group IV (CREE 500 MG/KG) and Group V (Aspirin 100mg/kg). We assessed analgesic activity by writhing following 0.6 % glacial acetic acid i.p. injection and recording reaction time in Eddy’s Hot Plate method. Thereafter, five groups of six Wistar albino rats each were treated with the above doses in Groups I -                               IV and Paracetamol 50 mg/kg in Group V following s.c. injection of 20% aqueous suspension of dried yeast at 20 ml/kg to induce fever. Rectal temperature (Celsius) for anti-pyretic activity was recorded. Quantitative variables were expressed as Mean ± SD and one way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison test were used for statistical analysis with P<0.05 at 95% confidence level. Results: Writhing response was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in test groups compared to control with dose dependent effect. Reaction time of mice to thermal pain stimulus in test groups was significantly increased (P<0.05) over time in hot plate method. Significant temperature reduction was not observed in test groups compared to control. (P>0.05). Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of leaves of Catharanthus roseus possesses significant analgesic but not anti-pyretic activity.