PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF Cucurbita maxima Duchesne AND Euphorbia royleana Boiss

Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cucurbita maxima indicated the presence of reducing sugars, alkaloids, saponins, tannin, steroid and glycosides whereas Euphorbia royleana indicated the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, steroids and tannin. The possible analgesic and anti-oxidant activities of Cucurbita maxima and Euphorbia royleana were investigated. Cucurbita maxima exhibited inhibition of writhing reflex 16.13% and 41.94% respectively (P<0.001 and P<0.001) and Euphorbia royleana exhibited inhibition of writhing reflex 19.35% and 45.16% respectively (P<0.02 and P<0.001) on animal model (Swiss Albino mice) at 250 and 500mg/kg body weight dose level. Diclofenac sodium was used as standard drug. Both plants showed little antioxidant activity, both qualitatively and quantitatively. In the quantitative assay, Cucurbita maxima and Euphorbia royleana displayed free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay IC50 = 218 µg/ml. and IC50 = 237 µg/ml respectively whereas that for ascorbic acid was IC50 = 17 µg/ml. The results provide a support for the use of this plant as analgesic and antioxidant.