Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory activities of ethanolic, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of Nymphoides hydrophylla in experimental animals

Aim: The ethanolic, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of Nymphoides hydrophylla at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg were administered for the evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities (both in vitro and in vivo). Materials and Methods: Analgesic activity was evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing, tailflick method, and Eddy’s hot plate method in albino rats. Paracetamol and tramadol were used as a standard reference drugs for analgesic activity. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by Human red blood cell membrane stabilization method and protein denaturation method. In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw edema in albino rats. Diclofenac sodium was employed as reference drugs for antiinflammatory studies. Results and Discussion: The administration of ethanolic, ethyl acetate, and hexane extracts of N. hydrophylla in rats with 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) reduced pain and inflammation, indicating that ethanolic extract possesses better analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities compared to other two extracts. The maximum analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were observed in rats receiving 500 mg/kg b.wt. of N. hydrophylla ethanolic extract. Conclusion: Our study indicates that N. hydrophylla extracts possess both antiinflammatory and analgesic activities and it may be useful as an anti-inflammatory agent in inflammation-related disorders.