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P. Vikrama Chakravarthi , N. Gopakumar , A. M. C. Nair , A. D. Joy , N. Gopakumar , A. M. C. Nair , A. D. Joy

Abstract

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) is one of the plants that have been used for its medicinal properties since ancient times. Almost all parts of the plants are used for the treatment of conditions associated with health abnormalities. In order to prove the analgesic effect of lotus seeds scientifically, a study was conducted in albino rats using the chronic pain model (experimental neuropathy). In this experiment, forty eight adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used. All the rats were subjected to surgery under anasthesia as per the standard neuropathy model protocols. After the surgery the rats were divided into six groups of eight each and group I was taken as control, group II was treated with the standard drug diclofenac potassium @ 3 mg/kg on the last day of experiment. The methanolic extract of lotus seeds of red and white varieties @ 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg were fed to group III, IV, V and VI respectively, for 7 days. After the dosage periods, the number of foot withdrawal reflex of each group was calculated using acetone induced cold stimulus and the responses analyzed statistically to findout the analgesic activity. It was revealed that the white lotus seed higher dose group (600 mg/kg.b.wt) exhibited significant analgesic activity than other lotus seed treated groups.

Keywords

Lotus Seeds, Analgesic, Neuropathy Model

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Usha P. T. A. ¹, N. Gopakumar ², A. M. Chandrasekhran Nair ¹, N. Divakran Nair ³

Affiliations
1 College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala - 680 651, Thrissur, IN
2 Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala-680651, IN
3 Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala-680651, IN

Abstract

The study was undertaken to evaluate the toxicity produced by the pooled selected fractions of Mimosa invisa in rabbits. An attempt was made to protect the animal from the toxicity using a decoction containing Hygrophila auriculata, Tribulus terrestris and Boerhaavia diffusa. Eighteen adult rabbits were divided into three groups of six animals each. Group I served as control. Group II received pooled fraction of M. invisa at 0.4 g/kg orally. Group III was administered with pooled fraction along with the decoction containing H. auriculata, T. terrestris and B. diffusa equivalent to 5 g/kg. The experiment was conducted for 20 days. Group II showed significant increase in biochemical parameters like alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma glutamyl tranferase, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and urea, suggesting liver and kidney toxicity. Histopathological examination of the liver and kidney supported these findings. Heart also showed mild histopathological changes. Administration of decoction reversed the biochemical and histopathological changes, indicating the protective effect of decoction.

Keywords

Boerhaavia diffusa, Hygrophila auriculata, Mimosa invisa, Tribulus terrestris

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