title: Phytochemical investigation and in vitro antinociceptive activity of Clerodendrum indicum leaves.
abstract: The crude ethanolic extracts of Clerodendrum indicum Linn. leaves were investigated for possible antinociceptive activity using acetic acid induced writhing model in mice. Phytochemical analysis was also carried out according to the standard procedures to identify the presence of different phytoconstituents in the ethanolic extract of the plant leaves. The study results showed 38.91 and 55.24% inhibition of writhings in the tested mice when ethanolic extract of Clerodendrum indicum Linn. leaves at doses of 250 and 500 mg kg(-1) body weight was given intraperitoneally, respectively. The study results were also compared with antinociceptive activity of the standard drug, Diclofenac sodium (68.37% inhibition) used at 25 mg kg(-1) body weight. At the above doses, the crude ethanolic extract of the plant showed significant antinociceptive activity in dose dependent fashion in acetic acid-induced writhing model in mice. The inhibition of writhings was calculated in respective to control group and it was found that p-values (<0.0001) obtained in all cases were extremely statistically significant. However, the phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloid, steroid, saponin, tannin, reducing sugar and gum. The results suggest that crude ethanolic extracts of Clerodendrum indicum leaves possess significant antinociceptive properties justifying its folkloric use as analgesics and further research is necessary to isolate the principle phytochemical constituent(s) responsible for this activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Sheikh Zahir
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Raihan
authors.forename: Pranoyjit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: Md Moniruzzaman
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Monir
authors.forename: Subrata Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.forename: Anusua
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: A K M Shahidur
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D032409:Clerodendrum / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D000700:Analgesics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol