Evaluation of analgesic, anticonvulsant locomotor activities of alcoholic extract achyranthes bidentata blume in mice.

The alcoholic extract of Achyranthes bidentata (AAB) has been studied for analgesic, anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activities in animal models. Analgesic activity was studied using acetic acid-induced writing test for assessing peripheral analgesic effect and tail immersion test for central analgesic effect. Anticonvulsant activity was performed by maximal electroshock induced convulsions; while the locomotor activity was evaluated using actophotometer. AAB (250-500 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of wriths induced by acetic acid and elevated pain threshold in hot water test. The extract (500mg/kg) exhibited anticonvulsant activity significantly (P<0.001) against tonic seizures induced by MES. The results of locomotor activity showed the significant (P<0.01) CNS depressant effect at the three doses (250,375 and mg/kg) employed. The results suggest that AAB exhibited analgesic, anticonvulsant and CNS depressant activity in a dose dependent pattern.