Background: Aspirin, a potent drug used for acute inflammatory pain, is also associated with various adverse effects, whereas some Indian herbs such as Ocimum sanctum and Azadirachta indica are known to have efficacy against such pain with less serious adverse effects.
Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate efficacy of Ocimum sanctum, Azadirachta indica, and their combination in acute inflammatory pain in comparison with aspirin.
Materials and Methods: Wistar albino rats of either sex (150250 g) were divided into five groups with six rats in each group. To induce inflammation, formalin (2.5%, 0.1 ml) was injected into subplantar region of the left hind paw of rats. The study groups were administered orally with distilled water (3 ml), aspirin (200 mg/kg), O. sanctum (400 mg/kg), A. indica (500 mg/kg), and their combination (combination of O. sanctum and A. indica having 400 mg/kg O. sanctum + 500 mg/kg A. indica) half an hour before administration of formalin. Effect of test drugs was assessed by the formalin test, where rats were observed for a period of 40 min to record any response after formalin injection. Two responses were observed ~ time spent in paw licking and number of paw lifting in early/neurogenic and late/inflammatory phases. Results (mean ± SD) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukeys HSD test.
Results: A. indica had produced a comparable effect to aspirin on inflammatory phase of pain.
Conclusion: A. indica could be used as an add-on therapy to conventional drugs for acute inflammatory pain. However, clinical studies on humans would be required to test its accurate efficacy.
Key words: Formalin Test; Biphasic Response; Neurogenic Phase; Inflammatory Phase; Paw Licking and Paw Lifting
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