Evaluation of analgesic activity of methanolic extract of Ixora coccinea stems

Abstract

Ixora coccinea L. belonging to the family Rubiaceae, is an evergreen shrub or small tree commonly known as Jungle of Geranium or Red Ixora. Pain is defined as an unpleasant complex phenomenon of sensory experiences. Analgesics are the agents which are used to relieve or diminish pain sensation. The evaluation of analgesia is assessed by using various pharmacological screening techniques like thermal stimuli, electrical stimuli or chemical stimuli. In the present study animal models are used to explore the analgesic activity of the methanolic extract of Ixora coccinea L. stems by using hot plate method and tail flick method. The two test doses (250mg/kg and 500mg/kg body weight) were compared with standard (Aspirin 20mg/kg body weight) and normal saline (10ml/kg body weight). The methanolic extract of Ixora coccinea L. stems have shown to exhibit significant analgesic activity in mice.