Sedative and analgesic activities of Ludwigia repens

The methanolic leaf extract of Ludwigia repens was evaluated for possible sedative and analgesic activities in mice. Sedative activity was evaluated by using hole cross, open field, thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time and elevated-plus maze (EPM) tests at 400 mg/kg while the peripheral and central analgesic activity was investigated using acetic acid-induced writhing test, formalin test and tail immersion test at 200 mg/kg body weight orally. The extract decreased the locomotor activity of mice in hole cross, open field and EPM test. Moreover, the extract significantly minimized onset of sleep and maximized the duration of sleeping time when administered with thiopental sodium. The extract also produced a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of pain in all three models.