Investigation of Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, Hypoglycaemic, Neuropharmacological and Cytotoxic Properties of Clerodendrum viscosum (Leaves)

Clerodendrum viscosum (CV) has been used traditionally to treat medical problems like asthma, ulcer, inflammation, pyrexia, diabetes, malaria, skin diseases, snakebite and tumor by folk practitioners. The present study evaluated the analgesic, antiinflammatory, neuropharmacological and cytotoxic properties C. viscosum (leaves) in rodents. Swiss albino mice of either sex weighing 25-30 gm and SD rats (150-180 mg) were divided into control (DW), standard (model specific) as well as test groups (n=6). Analgesic potential was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin induced pawlicking test. Anti-inflammatory properties were evaluated by xylene and croton oil induced ear edema test. Glucose tolerance was evaluated by OGTT in normal rats. Pentobarbital induced sleeping time test was applied to assess neuropharmacological activity. Also, Brine shrimp lethality bioassay method was employed for cytotoxicity evaluation. The alcoholic extracts showed significant antinociceptive activity in acetic acid test (p<0.01) and formalin test (p<0.05) at the dose of 1000mg/kg bw. The crude extract reduced inflammation significantly (p<0.01) in both xylene and croton oil induced ear edema test. At the dose of 1000mg/kg it increased glucose tolerance significantly (p<0.05) in normal rats. CV extract significantly (p<0.01) increased sleeping time indicating CNS depressant effect. The extract exhibited a potent cytotoxicity against brine shrimp (LC50=316.23μg/ml). C. viscosum leaves showed analgesic, antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic and CNS depressant effect against experimentally induced model mice. It also possessed cytotoxic properties and further studies are required to evaluate these effects and the potential of the plant.