Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects ofAgeratum conyzoides and Emilia sonchifolia alcoholic extracts in animal models. Analgesic effects have been investigated in acetic acid induced writhing model and formalin induced licking model of Swiss albino mice. Anti-inflammatory effect was investigated in carrageenan induced anti-inflammatory paw edema model of Wistar albino rat. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post hoc test for multiple comparisons. In a dose-dependent response, A. conyzoides and E. sonchifolia extracts inhibited 49.85 and 39.47% of acetic acid induced pain at the highest dose 2.0 g/kg body weight (BW). These effects were statistically significant (P < 0.05) as compared to the reference drug, diclofenac sodium (40 mg/kg). A. conyzoides reduced 35.48% and E. sonchifolia reduced 38.70% of formalin induced pain by 2.0 g/kg which were also statistically significant (P < 0.05) as compared to morphine (0.5 mg/kg). In a time-dependent inhibition of carrageenan induced paw edema model, the extracts of A. conyzoides and E. sonchifoliapromoted 50.23 and 48.11% inhibition of paw edema at the 4th hour of administration, respectively and the effects were statistically significant (P < 0.05). No mortality was observed in acute toxicity test. Observed results demonstrate an effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory potentials of the extracts to be used as complementary and alternative therapy.

Key words: Ageratum, Emilia, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, carrageenan.