Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Couroupita guianensis Aubl.

Abstract

Objective: To study analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts of flowers and bark of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. Materials and methods: Analgesic activity was evaluated using tail flick method and anti-inflammatory activity was screened by measuring the reduction in carrageenan induced hind paw oedema. The potency of various extracts of flower and bark were compared with (i) paracetamol (200 mg/kg) for analgesic and (ii) indomethacin (10 mg/kg) for anti-inflammatory activities. Results: All the extracts of C. guianensis showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. The peak analgesic effect of flower was seen after 1 h while bark extracts showed peak effect after 2 h. Maximum reduction in inflammation by the extracts was observed after 3 h. Conclusion: C. guianensis is almost equipotent to paracetamol in its analgesic activity and to indomethacin in its anti-inflammatory activity. So it can be recommended for further studies.