Abstract: The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract of aerial parts and rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis were evaluated to find active fractions.The hot plate test,thermal radiation pain test and acetic acid-induced mouse writhing test were used to assess the anti-nociceptive effect and xylene-induced mouse ear edema was conducted to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the extract,fractions and sub-fractions (furostanol saponin,pennogenin saponin and dioscin saponin).The results showed that the rhizome extract displayed the significant anti-nociceptive effects:the extract at the dose of 2.4 g crude material·kg^-1 showed significant anti-nociceptive effect in the hot plate test,while the extract at the doses of both 0.6 and 2.4 g crude material·kg^-1 displayed significant anti-nociceptive effect in the thermal radiation pain test.The extract at all doses of (0.3,0.6 and 2.4 g crude material·kg^-1）displayed significant anti-nociceptive effect in a dose-dependent manner in the writhing test.The extract significantly inhibited the mouse ear edema induced by xylene in a dose-dependent manner.The extract of aerial parts showed the similar anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect as those of rhizome.The anti-inflammatory effect of aerial parts and rhizome are attributed to the steroidal saponins enriched in the fractions eluted by 50%,70% and 95% ethanol on macroporous resin chromatography.All sub-fractions (furostanol,pennogenin and dioscin saponin) demonstrated the potent anti-inflammatory effect,and among them,pennogenin saponins have the strongest activity.The present investigation provided some evidences for the development of quality evaluation system concerning the traditional efficacy of Paridis rhizoma and the comprehensive utilization of the aerial parts of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis.

Key words: Paris polyphylla , var.chinensis；analgesic；anti-inflammatory；furostanol saponin；pennogenin saponin；dioscin saponin