Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Standardized Oil of Indian Callistemon lanceolatus Leaves in Experimental Animals

Abstract

The effect of Callistemon lanceolatus (Syn. C. citrinus curtis; Family: Myrtaceae)
leaf oil was studied for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in
experimental animals. C. lanceolatus, 25 - 100 mgkg, administered orally for 3
days exhibited graded dose response equivalent to 21.95% - 89.90% protection
in the tail flick latent test in rats. The C. lanceolatus oil (50 and 100 mgkg, given
orally for 3 days) was effective in hot plate reaction time (64.05% and 112.97%,
p< 0.01 and p< 0.001), analgesymeter-induced mechanical pain (28.17% and
54.42%, p C 0.01 and p C 0.001) and acetic acid- induced writhing (26.68% and
51.79%, p < 0.5 and p < 0.05) in mice. The oil of C. lanceolatus potentiated the
analgesic activity with pentazocine (10 mgkg, i.p.) and aspirin (25 mgkg, i.p.).
In the carrageenan- induced paw edema C. lanceolatus oil (50 and 100 mglkg,
given orally for 3 days) decreased paw volume significantly (26.68% and
51.79%) and dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in 1-3 hour time
interval and potentiated with nimesulide (50 mgkg, p.0.). In summary, this
study demonstrates that leaf oil of C. lanceolatus has significant antinociceptive
and anti-inflammatory activity.