Abstract

ANTINOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY EVALUATION OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA L. FRUIT METHANOLIC EXTRACT

Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Sadia Israt Khanom, Sujon Chandra Sarkar and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Momordica charantia is a Cucurbitaceae family plant whose fruits are considered to have medicinal values and also consumed as a vegetable. It was of interest to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of fruits of the plant (MEMC). Methods. Antinociceptive activity was determined through reductions in number of writhings caused by intraperitoneally injected acetic acid-induced abdominal pain in mice. Results. At MEMC doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, the extract dosedependently reduced the number of abdominal constrictions induced by intraperitoneal administration of acetic acid in mice by 21.4, 39.3, and 46.4%, respectively. By comparison, a standard antinociceptive drug, aspirin, when administered to mice at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, reduced the number of abdominal constrictions by 42.9 and 53.6%, respectively%, demonstrating that the extract antinociceptive activity at the highest dose was potent than aspirin at a dose of 200 mg per kg. Conclusion. The results suggest that fruits of the plant possess phytochemical constituent(s) with antinociceptive activities, and which can be of use in relieving pain.

Keywords: Antinociceptive, Momordica charantia, Cucurbitaceae, writhing.