Hemidesmus indicus (family:Asclepiadaceae) has been extensively used in folk medicine and well known traditional plant, mainly the root is used for the treatment of various disease. Phytochemical screening of root-bark revealed the presence of carbohydrate, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids and flavonoids. The hydro-alcoholic extract of Hemidesmus indicus (HAEHI) was investigated for analgesic (acetic acid –induced writhing response, Eddy’s hot plate method), anti-pyretic (brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia) and anti-inflammatory (carragenan induced rat paw oedema, cotton pellet granuloma method) activities. The treatment with the extract (100 ,200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibits writhing response, decrease the licking response in acetic acid –induced writhing response and Eddy’s hot plate method respectively in dose dependent manner. A maximal effect was observed at 300 mg/kg which was comparable to10 mg of Proxicam per kg body weight i.p. The anti-pyretic effect (measured as % reduction in body temperature) was compared with paracetamol (100 mg/kg, orally). HAEHI in dose of 300 mg/kg caused significant decrease in body temperature of rats. The treatment with the extract (100,200 and 300 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prevented increase in volume of paw oedema and formation of granulation tissue in dose dependent manner. A maximal effect was observed at 300 mg/kg which was comparable to phenylbutazone 100 mg/ kg body weight i.p. In conclusion, this study has established the analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory activity of Hemidesmus indicus and thus, justifies the ethnic uses of the plant.
