ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF SILVER PREPARATIONS USED IN INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE

Objective: To study analgesic effects and safety aspects of traditional silver preparations: Raupya Bhasma, Kushta Nuqra and Chandi Warq. Methods: The investigations were carried out against four types of noxious stimuli: mechanical (tail clip), chemical (acetic acid-induced writhing), electrical (pododolorimeter) and thermal (Eddys hot plate and analgesiometer) in rats and mice. Effects following naloxone pre-treatment and maximum tolerated dose (MTD) were also studied. Results: Test drugs (25-50 mg/kg, p.o) exhibited analgesic activity against chemical, thermal and electrical stimuli but not against mechanical stimulus. The effects were reduced in naloxone pre-treated animals. The MTD was more than 2 g/kg, p.o. Conclusion: Test drugs exhibited moderate to marked analgesic effects with wide margin of safety. Involvement of opioidergic mechanism is suggested.