Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Cleome chelidonni Linn. roots in experimental animals

The effect of Cleome chelidonni Linn (Family: Capparidaceae) methanolic methanolic root extract was studied for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental animals. C. chelidonni, 25 – 100 mg/kg administered orally for 3 days exhibited graded dose response equivalent to 21.95% - 89.90% protection in the tail flick latent test in rat. The C. chelidonni methanolic root extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o X 3 days) was effective in hot plate reaction time (64.05% and 112.97%, p< 0.01 and p< 0.001), analgesymeter induced mechanical pain (28.17% and 54.42%, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) and acetic acid- induced writhing (26.68% and 51.79%, p < 0.5 and p < 0.05) in mice. The methanolic root extract of C. chelidonni potentiated the analgesic activity with pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and aspirin (25 mg/kg, i.p.). In the carrageenan- induced paw edema C. chelidonni methanolic root extract (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o X 3 days) decreased paw volume significantly (26.68% and 51.79%) and dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in 1-3 hour time interval and potentiated with nimesulide (50 mg/kg, p.o.). In summary, this study demonstrates that methanolic methanolic root extract of C. chelidonni has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity.