title: Analgesic activity of Piper longum Linn. root.
abstract: Piper longum root, commonly called Kandantippili, is traditionally used to treat rheumatism, insomnia, palsy and epilepsy. But a scientific study on its central actions is not available. This study screens P. longum root for opioid type analgesia using rat tail-flick method and for NSAID type analgesia using acetic-acid writhing method. Pentazocine (ip) and ibuprofen (oral) are used as respective drug controls. An aqueous suspension of P. longum root powder is given orally to mice and rat in doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. The delay in reaction time for thermal stimulus in rats and the number of writhings to chemical stimulus in mice are determined in each group. The results are analysed statistically. The 400 and 800 mg/kg doses of P. longum show significant NSAID type of analgesia (P < 0.001). Both Ibuprofen (40 mg/kg) and P. longum (800 mg/kg) show 50% protection against writhing. The delay in reaction time to thermal stimulus was less than 6% for different doses of P. longum as against 100% for pentazocine. This indicates that P. longum root has weak opioid but potent NSAID type of analgesic activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Coimbatore 641 004, India.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vedhanayaki
authors.forename: Geetha V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Shastri
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuruvilla
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D031701:Piper / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010936:Plant Extracts