Evaluation of Analgesic Activity of Polyherbal Formulation in Albino Wistar Rats

To evaluate analgesic effect of polyherbal formulation methanolic extract consisting of Cinnamomum zeylancium, Balsamodendron mukul, Tribulus terrestris, Acacia catechu and Eugenia jambolana.

Analgesic activity was performed in albino wistar rats by two experimental models, hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing method. In both the models, albino wistar rats were divided into four groups of six rats in each group. The negative control group received normal saline (5 ml/kg), positive control group received Aspirin (100 mg/kg) and the third and fourth group received polyherbal formulation methanolic extract 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively. In hot plate method, the analgesic effect of the treated groups was evaluated based on the time until either licking or jumping occurs, which was recorded at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min respectively. In Acetic acid induced writhing method, the analgesic effect was evaluated based on the number of writhes observed in 10 min in the treated groups.

The methanolic extract of polyherbal formulation at different doses, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg produced a significant dose dependent nociceptive inhibition in both hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method (P<0.01).

The present study demonstrated that the polyherbal formulation consisting of Cinnamomum zeylancium, Balsamodendron mukul, Tribulus terrestris, Acacia catechu and Eugenia jambolana has significant analgesic property. Further isolation of the constituents of the formulation may provide detailed information about the analgesic property.