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Planta Med 1990; 56(5): 430-434
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-961004
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Analgesic and Behavioural Effects of Morinda citrifolia

Chafique Younos1 , 4 , Alain Rolland1 , 4 , Jacques Fleurentin1 , 4 , Marie-Claire Lanhers1 , 4 , René Misslin2 , 4 , François Mortier3 , 4
  • 1Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Centre des Sciences de l'Environement, Université de Metz, 1 rue des Récollets, F-57000 Metz, France
  • 2Laboratoire de Psychophysiologie, Université L. Pasteur, 7 rue de l'Université, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
  • 3Laboratoire de Pharmacognosie, Université de Nancy, 5 rue Albert Lebrun, F-54000 Nancy, France
  • 4Société Française d'Etnopharmacologie, Cloitre des Récollets, F-57000 Metz, France
Further Information

Publication History

1989

Publication Date:
05 January 2007 (online)

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Abstract

The traditional therapeutic indications for the use of Morinda citrifolia L. (Rubiaceae) have been investigated. The lyophilised aqueous extract of roots of M. citrifolia was evaluated for analgesic and behavioural effects in mice. The extract did not exhibit any toxic effects but did show a significant, dose-related, central analgesic activity in the writhing and hotplate tests; this effect was confirmed by the antagonistic action of naloxone. Furthermore, administration of M. citrifolia extract at high dosages decreased all behavioural parameters in the two compartment test, the light/dark choice situation test, and the staircase test; together with the induced sleeping time, these results are suggestive of sedative properties.

Key words

Morinda citrifolia - analgesic activity - sedative effects - behavioural effects