Evaluation of Analgesic and Sedative-anxiolytic Potential of Paderia foetida Leaf Extract

Thousands of plants are in medicinal use in Bangladesh. Paederia foetida L. is one of the most widely used plants among these for different types of ailments. This study was conducted to assess analgesic and neuropharmacological potential of aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the plant leaf. Analgesic activity was evaluated at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight by acetic acid induced writhing and formalin induced persistent pain tests while at the same dose sedative anxiolytic effect was examined by hole cross, open field and elevated plus maze tests on mice. The results showed that the ethanolic extracts significantly inhibit the nociceptive response in both acetic acid and formalin tests. The other two showed mild response. On the other hand, aqueous extract exhibited mild sedative action while rest of the two possess little sedative anxiolytic effect. These extracts of the plant leaf are yet to be explored for their specific mechanisms and absolute uses.