Phytochemical Screening and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Methanolic Extract of Cissus Elongata Roxb. Leaves

Abstract

This study evaluates the pharmacological activity of the methanolic extract of Cissus elongata Roxb. leaves. Dried leaves of C. elongata were extracted with methanol. The crude extract was then tested to identify the presence of different phytoconstituents. To evaluate the pharmacological effects of this plant- analgesic, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic, tests were conducted using animal models. Analgesic activity was evaluated by an acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin-induced paw-licking test paw-licking immersion test. Castor oil-induced anti-diarrheal test was performed to evaluate anti-diarrheal activity. Xylene-induced ear edema and brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia test were performed to investigate anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, fat, and fixed oil. In writhing test, the extract showed 45.68±3.99 % and 52.28±1.67 % inhibition of writhing at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively whereas it was 73.09±1.01 % for the standard drug compared to the control group. In the formalin-induced paw-licking test, the percentage inhibition of licking by both doses of the extract was more in the delayed phase than in the acute phase. In the tail immersion test, 200 mg/kg dose didn’t show a significant effect but 40 0mg/kg showed significant (*P<0.05 vs. control) analgesic activity at 30 min, 60 min and 120 min time periods. In an anti-diarrheal study, 400 mg/kg dose showed (68.42±0.87 % inhibition of diarrhea) almost similar anti-diarrheal effect as the standard drug loperamide HCl (71.05±0.58 %). In xylene induced ear edema test, both doses of the extract showed little anti-inflammatory effect compared to the standard drug but both doses showed significant (*P<0.05 vs. control) reduction in body temperature in the antipyretic study.