Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Alstonia scholaris Linn. R.br.,

Alstonia scholaris linn. (apocynaceae) is traditionally used as an antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agent. The objective of this study was to investigate experimentally the possible antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of alstonia scholaris. The effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of alstonia scholaris (EEAS) was evaluated in experimental models of pain and inflammation. The leaf extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed significant decrease in acetic acid induced writhings in mice with a maximum of 65.76 % at 400 mg/kg. in hot plate method, the percentage of pain inhibition was found to be 73.90 % and 79.56 % with 200, 400 mg/kg of EEAS respectively. There was a significant (p<0.001) inhibition in carrageenan induced paw edema with EEAS 200 and 400 mg/kg. The anti-inflammatory effects observed with the extract were comparable to that of standard. There was a significant antiulcerogenic property. The present study indicates that the ethanolic extract of alstonia scholaris exhibit significant antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antiulcerogenic activities.