Abstract
Plants have formed the basis of traditional medicine system which has a rapidly growing economic importance. It refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge of incorporating plant based medicines applied singularly or in combination to treat or prevent illnesses. It is a method by which majority of population get to have treatment for sickness and other health related problems. The African continents have a long history with the use of plants and in some African countries up to 90% of the population rely on medicinal plants as a source of drugs and therapeutics. The absence or inaccessibility of modern healthcare services and its affordability has caused a large percentage of the population to rely mostly on plant based medicines for their primary health care needs. The roots of Sarcocephalus latifolius was obtained from Zuru Local Government kebbi state Nigeria. It was subjected to phytochemical screening using laboratory standard method. the phytochemical screening of the methanol root extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius revealed the presence of glycocides, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols and carbohydrates while tannins and steroids are absent. Twenty five (25) albino rats divided into five (5) groups of (5) each were used to assess the analgesic activity of Sarcocephalus latifolius. From the result obtained, the extract showed a dose dependent analgesic activity when compared to the negative control group. From this, it can be concluded that methanol root extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius can be used as pain relievers and thus validates its use in traditional medicine and is therefore recommended for use as an analgesics.

Key words: Analgesic, Methanol, Root, screening, Activity.