ANALGESIC EFFECT OF DIOCLEA-GRANDIFLORA CONSTITUENTS IN RODENTS

An aqueous fraction and dioclein (5,2',5'-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflav anone) obtained from the ethanolic extract of the Dioclea grandiflora were tested for their analgesic effect in mice and rats employing acet ic-induced writhing and tail flick tests, respectively. When administe red intraperitoneally the two agents exhibited significant analgesic e ffects. The activity of both dioclein and aqueous fraction apparently involves an opiate-like mechanism, since their analgesic action was at tenuated by naloxone pretreatment.