Antinociceptive, Anti-Inflammatory and Antidepressant potential of methanolic extract of Celosia argentea Linn

The present study was done to determine the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activity of methanolic extract of leaves of Celosaia argentea (MECA) by oral administration at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day of body weight to healthy swiss albino mice. The MECA was studied for antinociceptive effect using Eddy’s hot plate method and tail flick method in albino mice and anti-inflammatory effect by using carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in mice and the mean increase in paw volume and % inhibition in paw volume was measured plethysmometer at different time intervals after carrageenan injection (1% w/v). The MECA was evaluated for antidepressant effect using forced swim and tail suspension methods in albino mice. The MECA showed antinociceptive effect evidenced by the increase in the reaction time by Eddy’s hot plate method and tail flick method in albino mice and anti-inflammatory effect by significant (P<0.001) reduction in the carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. The MECA showed a significant antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effect when compared with the standard drugs viz pentazocine, indomethacin and imipramine respectively. The present observation indicated significant (P<0.001) activity of the methanolic extract of Celosia argentea in the treatment of pain, inflammation, and depression.