Evaluation of Pharmacological Potentialities of Polar and Nonpolar Fractions of Justicia aurea Extract

Abstract

This study aims to explore analgesic, antidiarrheal, neuropharmacological, and antibacterial activities of petroleum ether and water fractions of Justicia aurea (J. aurea). The results of analgesic activity showed that both nonpolar (petroleum ether) and polar (water) fractions of J. aurea extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg significantly suppressed the writhing reflex dose-dependently. Here, the potentiality of petroleum ether fraction was higher than that of water fraction. In the castor oil-induced diarrheal mice, both fractions of J. aurea extract, at 250 and 500 mg/kg, significantly delayed the onset of diarrhea and lessened the total number of feces in a dose-dependent manner. Of the two fractions, the nonpolar fraction was found to exhibit a better effect. Both fractions appreciably reduced the number of squares crossed by the mice at both 250 and 500 mg/kg. At 500 mg/kg, petroleum ether fraction reflected a slightly better effect than that of water fraction. In disc diffusion antibacterial assay, both fractions showed minor effects against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), however, only the water fraction exhibited low activity against Salmonella enterica (S. enterica). In conclusion, the nonpolar fraction of J. aurea. showed better analgesic, antidiarrheal, and CNS depression effects.