EVALUATION OF THE ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF MIMOSA PUDICA L (MAKAHIYA) EXTRACT ON FEMALE SWISS WEBSTER MICE

Pharmacology Thesis

The efficacy of the analgesic effect of the Makahiya (Mimosa pudica) leaf extract was tested in female Swiss Webster mice. The decoction was prepared using a 1 : 1 ratio of distilled water and fresh Makahiya leaves. The mice were screened prior to experimentation. The lethal dose was detrmined using 2 trials: with a low dose of 0.02 mg/ml and a higher dose of 0.15 mg/ml. Different concentrations of the Makahiya extract were administered to 3 treatment groups (0.03, 0.06 and 1.0 mg/ml doses). Two pain stimulus were subjected to the mice: thermal (heat-plate method) and chemical (Acethycholine-induced writing method). Results were recorded in seconds. Three trials were done with a 3-day interval per trial. The results were analyzed using the t-test. In the heat plate method, only the 0.06 and 1.0 mg/ml concentrations of the decoction showed significant prolongation of the reaction time, with a t=2.68 and 1=2.86, respectively )t value of 1.33). In the Acetylcholine-induced abdominal writhing, the decoction was tested in comparison with paracetamol. All three concentrations showed no significant prolongation of reaction time of the test mice. This prompts for further recommendation of expanding the dose range to at least 5 doses within the effective dose range.

Department of Pharmacology