Antinociceptive activity of Gynandropsis gynandra leaves.

Gynandropsis gynandra (Capparidaceae) leaves are traditionally used in the treatment of pain. In order to evaluate the scientific validity of this, leaves were extracted successively to produce various extracts. These extracts were screened for antinociceptive activity using the hot plate test and acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneally. Ethanol and aqueous extracts were found most active in both the tests. The action was blocked by naloxone (1 mg kg(-1), s.c.) in the hot plate test, which suggests involvement of opioid receptors in the action. Flavonoids and tannins were observed in the active extracts, so we can say that they may responsible for the antinociceptive activity.