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As a result of adverse side effects caused by existing allopathic analgesic agent, the
investigation on the efficacy of plant based drugs has been seen as a fruitful
research strategy in the search of new alternatives. Acronychia pedunculata
(“Ankenda” in Sinhala, Family: Rutaceae) is a medicinal plant which has been used
for centuries in the folk medicine in Sri Lanka. The leaves, stems, roots and fruits of
this plant are used for the treatment of various diseases involving the inflammatory
processes and. this indicates the possibility of this plant having compounds with
anti-inflammatory properties. Only a very few scientific studies have been carried
out to evaluate the biological activities of this plant and there were no in-vivo
studies. Our previous studies have shown that 70% ethanol extract of A.
pedunculata leaves has significant anti-inflammatory activity. The present study
was to determine the antinociceptive effect of it by using an acetic acid induced
writhing method. Healthy adult male, Wistar rats were used and negative and
positive control groups were orally administered 1.0 mL of 0.5 % carboxymethyl
cellulose (CMC) and 100 mg/kg b. w. of acetyl salicylic in 1 mL of 0.5% CMC
respectively. The test groups were received 200 mg/kg b. w of the 70% ethanol
extract of A. pedunculata leaves (EEAP) in 1 ml of 0.5% CMC. The average
number of writhes in the EEAP group was 46 ± 3. It was 61 ± 4 and 29 ± 2 in the
negative and positive control groups’ respectively. The test group was significantly
inhibited number of writhes he present
study has demonstrated that the A. pedunculata leaves has statistically significant
anti-nociceptive activity
