Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory and neuropharmacological effects of Atropa belladonna

The present study was carried out to investigate, in vivo, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and neuro-pharmacological activities of the methanolic extract of Atropa belladonna. The analgesic activity was measured by acetic acid induced writhing inhibition test. The neuro-pharmacological activities were evaluated by open field, rearing test, cage cross, swim test, head dip and traction tests. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by formalin induce inflammation on hind paw. The extract showed highly significant (p<0.001) analgesic activity with % inhibitions of writhing response at doses 100 and 300mg/kg body weight were 28.5% and 57.1%, respectively. The extract at both doses showed significant (p<0.05) sedative effect in-cage cross test and highly significance value (p<0.001) in high dose. In-open field test, the extract showed significant (P<0.05) anxiolytic activity at higher dose whereas in rearing test activity shows significant p-value at both doses. The extract also showed significant value for anti-inflammatory activity. The findings of the study clearly indicated the presence of significant analgesic, neuro-pharmacological and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant, which demands further investigation including, compounds isolation.