Indigofera tinctoria: Preliminary experimental study evaluating its analgesic and behavioural activities in animals

Abstract

Indigofera tinctoria Linn. (Family: Fabaceae) is traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments including nervous disorders. In homoeopathy too, I. tinctoria is used in the treatment of epilepsy and other nervous disorders, but no data has been scientifically documented to establish its central nervous system activities. In the present preliminary study, the different potencies (3x, 6x, 12x and 30c) of I. tinctoria administered at a dose of 0.5 ml/rat/day were evaluated for their analgesic (hot plate, ice plate and Randall -Selitto tests) and behavioural (rota rod and open field tests) activities. The results revealed that all the four potencies of I. tinctoria had increased the latency time required to raise and to lick the fore or hind paw for thermal sensation on hot plate test and for cold sensation on ice plate test. They had also increased the quantum of threshold pressure to mechanical induced pain on Randall -Selitto test but depressed the motor coordination and locomotor activities. The observed activities suggest that the homoeopathic formulations of I. tinctoria possess CNS depressant property. However, further studies are required for a definitive conclusion.