title: Analgesic and behavioural effects of Morinda citrifolia.
abstract: The traditional therapeutic indications for the use of Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae) have been investigated. The lyophilised aqueous extract of roots of M. citrifolia was evaluated for analgesic and behavioural effects in mice. The extract did not exhibit any toxic effects but did show a significant, dose-related, central analgesic activity in the writhing and hotplate tests; this effect was confirmed by the antagonistic action of naloxone. Furthermore, administration of M. citrifolia extract at high dosages decreased all behavioural parameters in the two compartment test, the light/dark choice situation test, and the staircase test; together with the induced sleeping time, these results are suggestive of sedative properties.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Université de Metz, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Younos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rolland
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fleurentin
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lanhers
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Misslin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mortier
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D009270:Naloxone