Evaluation of analgesic and sedative effects of the extract of Gomphrena celosioides Mart. Amaranthaceae

Abstract

In Vietnam, Gomphrena celosioides Mart. (Amaranthaceae) is a popular herb.The aim of this study was evaluate the analgesic and sedative effects of its extract to clarify the pharmacological effects of Gomphrena celosioides. Gomphrena celosioides collected in Ho Chi Minh city, then extracted with 50% ethanol and water under high temperature. The extract was concentrated at a temperature of 70°C. Its central antinociceptive effect was evaluated using tail immersion model, white its peripheral antinociceptive effect was evaluated via writhing test by acetic acid 1% on mice and its sedative effect was evaluated using Rota-rod performance. Results show that at dosage of 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg, aqueous and ethanol extracts, perspectively, weren't found to increase the reaction time of the mice in tail immersion method (p>0,05)  However, aqueous and ethanol extracts reduced the number of writhing movements of the mice (p<0,05) in peripheral antinociceptive method. Ethanol extract shortened the stay time on the rotating cylinder at dosage 600mg/kg (p<0,01). Thus, aqueous and ethanol extracts of Gomphrena celosioides at dosage 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg have peripheral antinociceptive effect but no central antinociceptive effect. Ethanol extract has sedative effect at 600mg/kg dosage.