Analgesic activity of wild and cultivated varieties of Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn.) root

Abstract

Context: Root of wild and cultivated varieties of Ricinus communis Linn; Euphorbiaceae, known as Eranda in Ayurvedic system of medicine is used as an anti‑inflammatory and analgesic drug. Roots of the cultivated variety available in plenty are utilised mainly instead of the naturally least available wild one. Aims: To evaluate the analgesic activity of wild and cultivated varieties of Eranda (Ricinus communis Linn.) root. Materials and Methods: Decoction of both wild and cultivated varieties of Eranda root (10.8 ml/kg) were taken as test drugs by oral route, Pentazocine sodium (20 mg/kg) as reference standard and experiment was carried out on Wistar strain albino rats of either sex. Radiant heat, is used for assessing analgesic activity with the help of instrument called as ‘Tail Flick Analgesiometer’ was selected (Tail flick response), after obtaining permission from Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC/10/2012/14). Results: Decoction of wild variety root (10.8 ml/kg) showed significant effect after 60 min, highly significant effect after 120, 180 and 240 min in the tail flick response compared to initial reading and control group. Decoction of cultivated variety (10.8 ml/kg) treated group showed significant effect after 120, 180 and 240 min in comparison to normal control group. Conclusion: Root of (Ricinus communis Linn.) wild variety showed more analgesic activity than its cultivated variety. Key words: Analgesic, Ayurveda, Eranda, Ricinus communis Linn