Analgesic Activity of Aqueous Extract of Solanum Xanthocarpum Berries (SXB) in Animal Models

Background and aim: Traditional medicines can be considered a reliable source of new drugs as they are safe, dependable, and cost-effective compared to synthetic drugs. Drugs that can alter pain sensitivity are known as analgesics, and many herbal products have this property. The purpose of this study was to see how effective an aqueous extract of Solanum xanthocarpum berries (SXB) is as an analgesic in animal models.
Materials and methods: Analgesic activity was assessed using the tail-flick method (for central action) in rats and the acetic acid-induced writhing test (for peripheral action) in mice. Three doses of the plant extract (500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg) prepared by dissolving the drugs in 2% gum acacia were used. The tail-flick method and the acetic acid-induced writhing test used standard pethidine 5 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg aspirin, respectively. The vehicle served as a controlled drug.
Results: In the acetic acid-induced writhing test (p<0.001), the plant extract showed significant analgesic activity, while no analgesic activity was found in the tail-flick method.
Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Solanum xanthocarpum berries exerts its analgesic activity through peripheral pain mechanism though it does not have any central action.