Abstract

The study was carried out to screen the crude methanolic extract (Me. Ext) of Pistacia integerrima bark for anti gastrointestinal (GIT) motility and analgesic activities. Toxicological study was also conducted for safety profile of the bark. Balb-C mice of either sex weighing 25 to 35 g (n=6) were used as experimental animal. The Me. Ext was safe at a dose of 1000 mgkg^-1 body weight (b.w), however at a dose of 1500 mgkg^-1 b.w it caused 66.6% death of experimental mice. Me. Ext at a dose of 50 mgkg^-1 (35.20±15.22% inhibition) and 100 mgkg^-1 (38.89±9.28% inhibition) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the acetic acid induced writhing response in mice indicating significant antinociceptive effect compared to control group. The Extract at a dose of 100 mgkg^-1 (28.93±6.98% inhibition) and atropine sulphate 2.5 mgkg^-1 (42.93±0.47% inhibition) significantly (p<0.05) reduced the GIT motility, assessed by charcoal propulsion test. No significant difference was observed between control and Me. Ext at a dose of 50 mgkg^-1. These findings encourage the P. integerrimabark for its good pharmacological potentials. In addition the study also provides a scientific justifications to some of its tradititional uses.

Key words: Pistacia integerrima bark, methanolic extract, analgesic, anti GIT motility, toxicological effect.