In vivo neuroprotective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory potential in Swiss albino mice and in vitro antioxidant and clot lysis activities of fractionated Holigarna longifolia Roxb. bark extract.

Background The study investigated the in vivo neuroprotective, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory potential and in vitro antioxidant and clot lysis activities of crude methanol extract with its different solvent-soluble fractions like petroleum ether (PESF), carbon tetrachloride (CTSF), chloroform (CSF) and aqueous (AQSF) of Holigarna longifolia Roxb. Methods Phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time method was used for the neuroprotective activity, writhing response experimental model introduced by acetic acid was designed for antinociceptive efficacy, carrageenan-induced paw edema model was carried out for anti-inflammatory activity, DPPH free radical scavenging activity was assessed for antioxidant activity and clot lysis model was investigated for the thrombolytic potential of the plant. Results On investigation it was found that methanol extract and CS fraction revealed statistically meaningful (p<0.05) neuroprotective activity by increasing phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time of mice, produced substantial (p<0.05) inflammation inhibitory efficacy compared to standard diclofenac sodium and also exhibited statistically significant (p<0.01) oxidative stress inhibitory efficacy by inhibiting free radical formation compared to ascorbic acid as standard. Only methanol extract produced significant (p<0.05) antinociceptive activity by inhibiting abdominal writhes produced by acetic acid compared to standard analgesic drug diclofenac sodium. And only aqueous soluble fraction exhibited moderate clot lysis activity compared to streptokinase as standard. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that H. longifolia could be potential neuroprotective due to its justified antioxidative capacity as well as clot lysis properties.