Antinociceptive effects of methanolic extracts of Potentilla anserina in animal models

Potentilla anserina (Rosaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant in India, and it is available throughout the Northern hemisphere. This study was intended to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of Potentilla anserina in acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice and Eddy’s Hot Plate method in Albino rats at the dose level of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg p.o and the study was compared with the standard drug Indomethacin 10 mg/kg. The data were expressed as mean ± S.E.M. The statistical analysis was done using ANOVA followed by Dunnett‟s post hock test. The methanolic extract of Potentilla anserina showed significant antinociceptive activity in the acetic acid-induced writhing method the PAME (75, 150, 300 mg/kg, p.o) 1hr before a pain stimulus significantly reduced the nociceptive response. In the hot plate method, there was no significant difference in nociceptive behavior. The antinociceptive activity could be associated with the presence of several flavonoid-based bioactive compounds and their synergistic action with non-volatile bioactive compounds.