Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

Traditional medicinal systems across the world employ plant-based decoctions for the management of pain, anxiety, and other neurobehavioral disturbances. Despite their widespread use, many such remedies lack systematic neuropharmacological validation. The present research aimed to evaluate the behavioural and analgesic effects of a traditionally used leaf decoction using established experimental models, providing preliminary scientific evidence for its central nervous system activity. The decoction was prepared following ethnomedicinal practices and administered orally to experimental animals at graded doses. Behavioural effects were assessed using standard models for locomotor activity, anxiety-related behaviour, and depressive-like states, while analgesic activity was evaluated using thermal and chemical nociception paradigms. Observations focused on dose-dependent changes in behavioural responses compared with control and reference drug groups. The decoction demonstrated a significant reduction in pain perception in both thermal and chemical nociceptive models, suggesting a centrally mediated analgesic effect. Behavioural assessments revealed a mild sedative profile accompanied by anxiolytic-like activity without marked motor impairment. These findings indicate potential modulation of central neurotransmitter pathways involved in pain and behaviour. The observed effects may be attributed to the presence of bioactive phytoconstituents known to interact with neurochemical systems, although precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The research supports the traditional use of the leaf decoction for pain relief and behavioural modulation and highlights its promise as a source of neuroactive compounds. However, the preliminary nature of this evaluation necessitates further investigations, including mechanistic studies, phytochemical characterization, and safety profiling, to substantiate its therapeutic relevance. Overall, the findings contribute to the growing scientific validation of traditional herbal medicines and underscore the importance of integrating ethnopharmacological knowledge with experimental neuroscience to identify novel, plant-derived neurotherapeutic agents.