PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF ECLIPTA PROSTRATA. L (ASTERACEAE)

Present study was designed to investigate the pharmacognostical, phytochemical and analgesic activity of Eclipta Prostrata. L (Asteraceae). Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Eclipta Prostrata were prepared by using soxhlet extraction method. The resultant extracts were subjected to pharmacognostical parameters like water soluble, acid soluble extractives and qualitative phytochemical investigations. Further extracts were screened for analgesic activity by using Eddy’s hot plate and heat immersion methods, at a dose level of 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight. Ethyl acetate extract showed significant amount of flavonoids and phenolics when compared to methanolic extract. Ethyl acetate extract showed a dose dependent and significant (p≤0.01) analgesic activity in all the tested methods compared to diclofenac sodium treated mice. Methanolic extract also exhibited analgesic activity. Altogether results suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of Eclipta Prostrata and its biologically active constituents could be used as potential analgesic agents.