Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of the rhizomes of hedychium coronarium

The study is based on the investigation of antinociceptive activity observed from the methanolic extract of the rhizomes of Hedychium coronarium. Tail immersion method in mice has been used for the evaluation of the central pharmacological actions. Similarly acetic-acid induced writhing-test was used for the evaluation of the peripheral pharmacological properties. A substantial rise in pain threshold is seen in a dose dependent manner with the methanolic extract of the rhizomes of H. coronarium at doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg body weight with the tail immersion methods. The methanolic extract at 150 mg/kg dose possessed 82% writhing inhibition, (p <0.001) in acetic-acid induced writhing-test that could be compared to the standard, Diclofenac-Na (25 mg/kg) with76% inhibition. Hence, the above results evidence the presence of antinociceptive properties of the rhizomes of H. coronarium.