Antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of flowers of Impatiens balsamina.
BACKGROUND
Impatiens balsamina Linn. (Balsaminaceae), an annual herb locally called "Dopati", is cultivated as an ornamental garden plant in Bangladesh. Flowers of the plant are used in folk medicine to treat lumbago, neuralgia, burns and scalds.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the antinociceptive effect of the methanol extract of I. balsamina flowers (MIB).


METHODS
The extract was evaluated for antinociceptive activity using chemical- and heat-induced pain models such as acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate, tail immersion and formalin test. To verify the possible involvement of opioid receptor in the central antinociceptive effect of MIB, naloxone was used to antagonize the effect. The effect of MIB on central nervous system (CNS) was also studied using hole cross and open field tests.


RESULTS
MIB demonstrated strong and dose-dependent antinociceptive activity in all the chemical- and heat-induced mice models (p<0.05). These findings imply the involvement of both peripheral and central antinociceptive mechanisms. The use of naloxone confirmed the association of opioid receptors in the central antinociceptive effect. MIB also showed significant central nervous system depressant effect (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study reported the peripheral and central antinociceptive activity of the flowers of I. balsamina and rationalized the traditional use of the flower in the treatment of different painful conditions.
Department of Pharmacy, Stamford University Bangladesh, 51, Siddeswari Road, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh. zafarimam@gmail.com
Mohammad Zafar
MZ
Imam
Nazmun
N
Nahar
Saleha
S
Akter
Md Sohel
MS
Rana
D019342:Acetic Acid; D000700:Analgesics / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D005557:Formaldehyde; D006358:Hot Temperature; D029069:Impatiens; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D000700:Analgesics; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D005557:Formaldehyde; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000432:Methanol