Experimental Models for Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory and Antipyretic Activities

Pain, inflammation, and fever are interrelated pathological responses commonly encountered in clinical settings, representing significant therapeutic challenges. The search for effective and safe pharmacological agents requires robust experimental models to evaluate analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of in vivo, in vitro, and in silico models employed in the preclinical assessment of these therapeutic actions. Central and peripheral analgesic models, such as the hot plate, tail flick, and acetic acid-induced writhing tests, allow differentiation of mechanisms involved in nociception. Anti-inflammatory models, including carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma, and cytokine inhibition assays, facilitate understanding of both acute and chronic inflammation. Antipyretic screening utilizes models like Brewer’s yeast- and LPS-induced pyrexia, which simulate endogenous fever mechanisms. Complementing these biological assays, in silico tools like molecular docking, pharmacophore modeling, and network pharmacology offer predictive insights into drug-target interactions, accelerating the drug discovery pipeline while reducing animal usage. In vitro techniques, including receptor binding assays and enzyme inhibition studies, provide mechanistic clarity and high-throughput capabilities. The integration of multiple experimental modalities ensures translational relevance and enhances the reliability of pharmacological evaluations. By systematically evaluating the strengths and limitations of each model, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers aiming to identify novel therapeutic agents with improved safety profiles and efficacy. The convergence of traditional experimental methods with computational pharmacology signifies a paradigm shift towards more ethical, efficient, and targeted drug discovery approaches in the management of pain, inflammation, and fever.