Analgesic and Antiinflammatory activity of Spinacia oleracea Linn

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate the possible Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory activities of Spinacia olearacea Linn.The ethanolic (80%) extract elicited a highly significant (p<0.001) analgesic activity on hot plate method, acetic acid induced writhing test.In the hot plate method, the extract increased the reaction time of heat sensation to 73.3 %and 92.8% at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW respectively while that of the standard drug was 97.3% at the 3rd hour of study. In acetic acid induced writhing test, the percent inhibition of writhing response by the extract was 39.23% and 64.62% at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses respectively (p<0.001) while the standard Ketorolac inhibition was 66%.The oral administration of the extract significantly (p<0.001) inhibited inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in a dose dependent fashion. The most prominent inhibition of 80% (250 mg/kg) and 94% (500 mg/kg) were observed at the 2nd hour of study, while the standard drug Ketorolac showed 90% inhibition. All these studies suggest that Ethanolic (80%) extract of leaf of Spinacia olearacea L. has significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect in a dose dependent manner.