Evaluation of the analgesic activity of ethanol extract of the stem and leaf of Cissus gracillis Gull and Perr (Vitaceae)

Cissus gracillis is used in the treatment of lumbago and pain. The analgesic activity of the ethanol extract of the stem and leaf of this plant was determined on mice and albino rats using radiant heat tail flick and acetic acid induced writhing assays. Extract was administered at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg through oral route. Phytochemical screening was done. Phytochemical screening showed presence of carbohydrates and terpenoids/steroids. In the tail flick assay, the difference in values was not statistically significant (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, P < 0.01) when compared with positive and negative control groups. There was a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference in the mean number of writhes between the extract treated groups and the negative control group. There was no statistically difference in the latency of the animals in the control and treatment groups in the tail flick assay. The findings of this study showed that ethanol extract of C. gracillis had significantly potent peripheral analgesic activity.