Evaluation of Pharmacological Activities of Leaves and Bark of Myristica fatua var. magnifica Extracts

Abstract

Myristica fatua var. magnifica (Beddome) Sinclair belongs to the family Myristicaceae. It is a tree used as an important plant to cure various diseases. In the present study the Petroleum ether, Ethyl acetate and Methanolic extracts of Myristica fatua was evaluated for its toxicity, potential analgesic, depressant and in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The extracts at different concentration from 100 to 2000 mg/kg were used to evaluate the toxicity in albino rats. For evaluating the analgesic, depressant, in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, tail flick, actophotometer, rota-rod, HRBC membrane and carrageenan induced edema test in selected animals were done at the dose 200 and 400 mg/kg. Acute toxicity studies revealed that the extracts of Myristica fatua var. are nontoxic at the studied concentration. The appropriate dose range for preclinical study was found to be 200 and 400 mg/kg. Oral administration of different extracts at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg exhibited dose dependent analgesic, depressant and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in selected animals. In vitro anti-inflammatory studies showed dose dependent activity with percentage of stabilization was found to be 79.66%, 80.63% and 85.22% at concentration of 200 mg/ml of M. fatua leaves, bark and standard respectively. Hence present investigation established some pharmacological evidences to support the folklore claim that Myristica fatua var. magnifica is used as analgesic, depressant and anti-inflammatory agent.