Research Article INVESTIGATION OF NEUROPHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF SEEDS OF ALPINIA ZERUMBET

ABSTRACT: The study is based on the investigation of the neuropharmacological and analgesic properties observed from the methanolic extract of the seeds of Alpinia zerumbet. Tail immersion method in mice has been used for the evaluation of the central pharmacological actions. Similarly acetic-acid induced writhing-test was used for the evaluation of the peripheral pharmacological properties. A significant rise in pain threshold is seen in a dose dependent manner with the methanolic extract of A. zerumbet at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight with the tail immersion methods. The methanolic extract at 400 mg/kg dose possessed 73.12 % writhing inhibition, (p <0.001) in acetic-acid induced writhing-test that could be compared to the standard, Diclofenac-Na (25 mg/kg) with 75.78 % inhibition. Open-field and hole-cross tests have been conducted in mice for further investigation of the extract in support of its neuro-pharmacological actions, where dose-dependent suppression of exploratory and motor activities were observed in the tested models. Hence, the above results evidence the presence of CNS depressant and analgesic properties of the plant, A. zerumbet. Key words: Alpinia zerumbet, tail-immersion test, methanolic extract, acetic-acid induced writhing-test.