Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 2015
ISSN NO: 2231-6876
ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF LEUCAS ASPERA AND CASSIA TORA ROOTS
Sandip Shelke1, Dr. Chandanam Sreedhar2, Dr. K.B. Chandrasekhar3
1
SATS College of Pharmacy, Miraj, Maharashtra India. (Ph.D. Scholar, JNTU, Anantapur, A.P. India)
HOD of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Karnataka College of Pharmacy, Bangalore, India.
3
Director of OTRI, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur, A.P., India.
2
ARTICLE INFO
Article history
Received 26/12/2014
Available online
30/01/2015
Keywords
Leucas Aspera,
Cassia Tora,
Analgesic Activity.
ABSTRACT
Unrelieved pain increases cardiac work, increases metabolic rate, interferes with blood
clotting, leads to water retention, lowers oxygen levels, impairs wound healing, alters immune
function, interferes with sleep and creates negative emotions. Thus analgesic potential of
Leucas aspera and Cassia Tora L were evaluated by using Acetic acid induced writhing in
mice model. The extracts were produced analgesic effect. The extracts also decreased the
abdominal constriction and hind paw stretching in the Acetic acid writhing test significantly
(p<0.001- 0.05) relative to control.
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Please cite this article in press as Mr. Sandip S. Shelke et al. Analgesic Activity of Leucas Aspera And Cassia Tora Roots. Indo
American Journal of Pharm Research.2015:5(01).
333
Corresponding author
Mr. Sandip S. Shelke
(M. Pharmacy)
[email protected]
09422041816, 09665914604
Vol 5, Issue 01 2015.
Mr. Sandip S. Shelke et al.
ISSN NO: 2231-6876
INTRODUCTION
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain, pain is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience
associated with actual and potential tissue damage [1]. Unrelieved pain increases cardiac work, increases metabolic rate, interferes
with blood clotting, leads to water retention, lowers oxygen levels, impairs wound healing, alters immune function, interferes with
sleep, and creates negative emotions [2-7]. Unrelieved pain can delay the return of normal gastric and bowel function in postoperative
patients [8]. People are looking for safe, effective alternatives for pain and herbal remedies have the advantage of fewer side effects.
The roots of Leucas aspera and Cassia tora have not been evaluated for the analgesic activity. Thus the aim of the study is to evaluate
analgesic activity of methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Leucas aspera and Cassia tora roots by using Acetic acid induced
writhing in mice model.
Leucas aspera is an annual, branched, herb erecting to a height of 15-60 cm with stout and hispid acutely quadrangular stem
and branches [9]. Hot water extract of entire plant is also used to treat inflammation, dyspepsia, and jaundice. Entire plant extract is
used orally to treat scabies, psoriasis, and snake bite. The plant Leucas aspera is externally used as an insect repellant. A handful of
flowers roasted in ghee are given orally (5–10 g once a day) for treatment of cough and colds. The flowers are crushed and aroma is
inhaled in the opposite nostril for the relief of migraine. The juice of leaves is used aurally for ear pain and for pus discharge from ear.
The paste of leaves ground with chalk is applied to tooth cavity (periodontal) to prevent decay. The decoction of leaves is used nasally
as an antivenin. Infusion of leaves is used externally to treat scabies. Leaf paste mixed with turmeric is used to heal wounds and boils.
The decoction of roots, stem of Leucas aspera is used orally for high fevers, for influenza, and for malarial fevers [10-13].
Cassia tora is a wild crop and grown in most parts of India as a weed. It is an annual foetide herb, 30-90cm high [14-16].
Traditional it is used as tonic, carminative and stimulant. Its leaves, seeds, and roots are used medicinally, primarily in Asia. The
leaves and seeds are useful in leprosy, ringworm, flatulence, colic, dyspepsia, constipation, cough, bronchitis, cardiac disorders. In
India, cassia tora is used as a natural pesticide in organic farms. Roasted seeds are substituted for coffee, like tephrosia seeds. Cassia
tora powder is most popularly used in the pet-food industry. It is mix with guar gum for use in mining and other industrial application
[15-16].
MATERIALS AND METHOD
Collection of plant materials [17-18]
The roots of Leucas aspera and Cassia tora were collected from Ananthagiri forest region, Vishakapatnam District, Andhra
Pradesh, India. The plant species were authenticated by Dr. K. Madhava Chetty, Department of Botany, Shri Venkateshwara
University, Tirupati, India.
Extraction of plant materials [19]
The fresh roots were cleaned, shade dried at room temperature and chopped into small pieces. Dried plant were powdered and
packed in air tight container. The coarse powders of both plant materials were packed in soxhlet column for 6 hr successively with
methanol and petroleum ether. Thereafter, the extracts were concentrated using rotary flash evaporator (50oC).
Statistical Analysis:
The values are expressed as Mean ± SEM. The data was analysed by using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey multiple
comparison tests using Graph pad prism software. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.
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In vivo Analgesic Activity
Acetic acid Induced Writhing in Mice [20]:
Albino mice weighing 20-30 mg/kg were divided into eight groups of six in each group. One hour after the administration of
the test drugs and diclofenac (10 mg/kg i.p), the mice were given intraperitoneal injection of 0.7%v/v acetic acid solution (volume of
injection 0.1ml 10g), the mice were placed individually into glass beakers and 5 min, were allowed to elapse. The numbers of writhes
produced in these animals were counted for 15 minutes. For scoring purposes, a writhe is indicated by stretching of the abdomen with
simultaneous stretching of at least one hind limb.
Group-I: Distilled water will be supplied and served as control.
Group-II: Animals received a dose of 10 mg/kg of Diclofenac sodium i.p. and served as Standard
Group-III: Animals received a dose of 200 mg/kg of MELA and MECT p.o.
Group-IV: Animals received a dose of 400 mg/kg of MELA and MECT p.o.
Group-V: Animals received a dose of 600 mg/kg of MELA and MECT p.o.
Group-VI: Animals received a dose of 200 mg/kg of, PELA and PECT p.o.
Group-VII: Animals received a dose of 400 mg/kg of PELA and PECT p.o.
Group-VIII: Animals received a dose of 600 mg/kg of PELA and PECT p.o.
334
Experimental Animals
Albino mice weighing 20-30 mg/kg were maintained under controlled condition of temperature at 27 o ± 2o C and 12-h lightdark cycles and relative humidity of 50 ± 15%). All the studies conducted were approved by the Institutional Animal Ethical
Committee (IAEC) of according to prescribed guidelines of Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on
Animals, Govt. of India. (Regd no. 769/2011/CPCSEA) They were housed in polypropylene cages and had a free access to standard
pellets and water ad libitum.
Vol 5, Issue 01 2015.
Mr. Sandip S. Shelke et al.
ISSN NO: 2231-6876
RESULT
A) Analgesic Activity of Leucas aspera.
Table No. 1: Effect of MELA and PELA on Acetic acid Induced Writhing in Mice.
Groups
Group-I
Group-II
Group-III
Group-IV
Group-V
Group-VI
Group-VII
Group-VIII
Treatment
Saline
Diclofenac sodium (10mg/kg i.p.)
MELA (200mg/kg p.o.)
MELA (400mg/kg p.o.)
MELA (600mg/kg p.o.)
PELA (200mg/kg p.o.)
PELA (400mg/kg p.o.)
PELA (600mg/kg p.o.)
Mean no of writhing ±SEM
42.83 ± 2.04
17.67 ± 1.11***
28.50 ± 1.47***
24.83 ± 1.44***
20.33 ± 1.25***
31.50 ± 1.89***
27.33 ± 1.45***
23.50 ± 1.33***
% Inhibition of writhes
58.74%
33.46%
42.03%
52.53%
26.45%
36.19%
45.13%
Values are Mean ± SEM (n=6) one way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Karmer’s test. Where, *** P<0.001, ** P<0.01, * P<0.05 and ns
represents Not significant. MELA- Methanolic extract of Leucas aspera, PELA: Petroleum ether extract of Leucas aspera.
Nunber of writhes
50
40
30
20
10
G
G
ro
up
up
VI
ro
I
up
VI
II
VI
V
ro
ro
up
G
G
ro
up
up
ro
G
G
III
II
up
I
up
G
ro
G
ro
IV
0
Figure 1: Effect of MELA and PELA on Acetic acid Induced Writhing in Mice Analgesic Activity of Cassia tora.
B) Analgesic Activity of Cassia tora.
Table No. 2: Effect of MECT and PECT on Acetic acid Induced Writhing in Mice.
Treatment
Saline
Diclofenac sodium (10mg/kg i.p.)
MECT (200mg/kg p.o.)
MECT (400mg/kg p.o.)
MECT (600mg/kg p.o.)
PECT (200mg/kg p.o.)
PECT (400mg/kg p.o.)
PECT (600mg/kg p.o.)
Mean no of writhing ±SEM
42.83 ± 2.04
17.67 ± 1.11***
27.50 ± 1.54***
23.67 ± 1.28***
19.17 ± 1.07***
29.33 ± 1.52***
26.17 ± 1.35***
22.50 ± 1.17***
% Inhibition of writhes
58.74%
35.79%
44.73%
55.24%
31.51%
38.89%
47.46%
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Values are Mean ± SEM (n=6) one way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Karmer’s test. Where, *** P<0.001, ** P<0.01, * P<0.05 and ns
represents Not significant. MECT- Methanolic extract of Cassia tora, PECT: Petroleum ether extract of Cassia tora.
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Groups
Group-I
Group-II
Group-III
Group-IV
Group-V
Group-VI
Group-VII
Group-VIII
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Vol 5, Issue 01 2015.
Mr. Sandip S. Shelke et al.
ISSN NO: 2231-6876
Nunber of writhes
50
40
30
20
10
G
ro
up
G
I
ro
up
G
I
ro I
up
I
G
ro II
up
G IV
ro
up
G
V
ro
up
G
V
I
ro
up
G
V
II
ro
up
V
III
0
Figure 2: Effect of MECT and PECT on Acetic acid Induced Writhing in Mice.
DISCUSSION
Acetic acid-acid-induced writhing model represents pain sensation by triggering localized inflammatory response. Such pain
stimulus leads to the release of free arachidonic acid from tissue phospholipids [22]. The acetic acid induced writhing response is a
sensitive procedure to evaluate peripherally acting analgesics. The response is thought to be mediated by peritoneal mast cells acid
sensing ion channels and the prostaglandin pathway [23-25].
The aim of the study is to evaluate analgesic potential of methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Leucas aspera and Cassia
tora roots by using Acetic acid induced writhing in mice model. The methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Leuaus aspera and
Cassia tora roots have showed analgesic activity.
Control and various treated groups were tested for analgesic activity against acetic acid induced writhing, which is nothing
but the painful reaction. Thirty minutes after the treatment, each mouse was injected with 0.1 ml 0.7% v/v aqueous solution of acetic
acid i.p. The number of abdominal constrictions was cumulatively counted from 0 - 10 minutes. The % reduction of writhing in
standard diclofenac sodium 10 mg/kg treated group was found to be 55.20% against control.
Analgesic Activity of Leucas aspera
The mean response of control and standard was 42.83 ± 2.04 and 17.67 ± 1.11 respectively. The respective test compounds
MELA and PELA in its 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg dose, showed mean writhing responses as 28.50 ± 1.47, 24.83 ± 1.44, 20.33 ± 1.25
and 31.50 ± 1.89, 27.33 ± 1.45, 23.50 ± 1.33 . In terms of percentage inhibition of writhing by diclofenac sodium was 58.74% while
with the test compound it was 33.46%, 42.03%, 52.53% and 26.45%, 36.19%, 45.13% respectively. The values are tabulated in the
Table No. 1 and shown in Figure No 1.
CONCLUSION
In this study the n MELA, PELA, MECT and PECT extracts of Leucas aspera and Cassia tora roots is evaluated for its
analgesic activity of acetic acid induced writhing in mice. The MELA, PELA, MECT and PECT extracts produced significantly
analgesic activity. The methanolic and petroleum ether extracts of Leuaus aspera and Cassia tora roots have showed analgesic
potential. Further, the work could be extended to evaluate the effectiveness of the marker compounds for the treatment of unrelieved
pain at its cellular level to elucidate its exact mechanism for the traditional claim.
Page
ABBREVIATIONS
1) MELA- Methanolic extract of Leucas aspera.
2) PELA: Petroleum ether extract of Leucas aspera
3) MECT- Methanolic extract of Cassia tora
4) PECT: Petroleum ether extract of Cassia tora
336
Analgesic Activity of Cassia tora
The mean response of control and standard was 42.83 ± 2.04 and 17.67 ± 1.11 respectively. The respective test compounds
MECT and PECT in its 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg dose, showed mean writhing responses as 27.50 ± 1.54, 23.67 ± 1.28, 19.17 ± 1.07
and 29.33 ± 1.52, 26.17 ± 1.35, 22.50 ± 1.17. In terms of percentage inhibition of writhing by diclofenac sodium was 58.74% while
with the test compound it was 35.79%, 44.73%, 55.24% and 31.51%, 38.89%, 47.46% respectively. The values are tabulated in the
Table No 2 and shown in Figure No 2.
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Mr. Sandip S. Shelke et al.
ISSN NO: 2231-6876
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