Aim of study: Stachytarpheta indica is used as herbal remedy for pains in Nigeria. Methods: To validate this claim, the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of the stem bark extract were examined in mice and rats by using acetic acid-induced writhing, tail immersion, xylene and egg albumin-induced paw oedema. While yeast and amphetamine induced pyrexia were used to study antipyretic activity in rats. LD50 of the stem bark extract was carried out to determine its safety. Results: The methanol stem bark extract of Stachytarpheta indica showed significant (p<0.05) dose dependent effect in the parameters assayed. The activity of the extract was comparable to acetylsalicylic acid and morphine respectively. The acute toxicity test was greater than 5000 mg/kg. Conclusions: It may be possible that the methanol stem bark extract of Stachytarpheta indica contains biologically active substances with potential value for the treatment of painful and feverish conditions.

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Summary:The antispasmodic and spasmolytic effects of methanolic extract of seeds of Garcinia kola Heckel were studied on smooth muscle preparations in vitro. The influence of the extract on rat duodenum, jejunum and ileum was investigated using acetylcholine and barium chloride as agonists. The extract exhibited dose-dependent antispasmodic effects on contractions induced by acetylcholine, and dose-dependent spasmolytic effects on spasms induced by cumulatively increased concentrations of acetylcholine and barium chloride. The graded log concentration-response curves for acetylcholine were non-parallel but shifted to the right in the presence of the extract. It is concluded that the Garcinia kola extract inhibits smooth muscle activity via other mechanisms but not involving neither cholinergic nor adrenergic receptor interaction.

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