Evaluation of In Vivo Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Medicinal Plant-Lagenaria siceraria

Ethanolic extract of the fruit & leaves of Lagenaria siceraria was investigated in rats and mice for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The activities of the extract was tested on the carrageenan induced oedema, acetic acid induced writhing and tail immersion pain models. The LD50 of the ethanolic extract of Lagenaria siceraria was found to be 2000mg/kg. At concentrations of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg the extract was found to possess significant (P<0.05) analgesic effects on the hot plate model, but only the concentration of 400 mg/kg possessed significant (P<0.001) anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the writhing test. Phytochemical test revealed that the extract contains flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins, glycosides & saponins.