Abstract:The aqueous extract prepared from the seeds of Cnidium monnieri possesses a blocking anesthetic action on isolated sciatic nerves in toads. The experiments on guinea pig wheal show that the preparation induces an infiltration anesthetic effect, which may be potentiated by epinephrine hydrochloride. In rabbits, the extract injected into the subarachnoid space of the lumber area almost immediately initiates the on set of anesthetic action on the cornea. Furthermore, the aqueous extract can potentiate the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital sodium in mice.