Anti-inflammatory and Antinociceptive Effects of the Alcoholic Extract of Indian Polygala arvensis in Experimental Animals

Abstract

The alcoholic extract of Polygala arvensis (family Polygalaceae) was screened for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in experimental animals. The extract was administered for three consecutive days. Following an oral dose of 25 - 100 mg/kg, the extract exhibited graded dose response equivalent to 16.24% - 55.43% protection in the tail flick latent test in rats. Oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg of the extract administered to mice effectively increased reaction time in the hot plate method by 69.55% (p < 0.01) and 107.13% (p < 0.001) respectively as well as in analgesymeter-induced mechanical pain by 28.84% (p < 0.5) and 55.71% (p < 0.05) respectively. The extract potentiated the analgesic effect of intraperitoneally administered pentazocine (10 mg/kg) and aspirin (25 mg/kg). In the carrageenan-induced paw edema test, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg oral doses of the extract decreased paw volume significantly. Dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity was observed throughout the 3 h period of observation. The extract potentiated the analgesic effect of orally administered nimesulide (50 mg/kg). This study demonstrates that extracts of P. arvensis have significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.