Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Tabernaemontana divaricata L. Flowers in Rats

Ethanolic extract of Tabernaemontana divaricata L. (TD) flowers were evaluated for analgesic and antiinflammatory effects on Wistar rat model. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of TD flowers at doses of 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg was evaluated against the standard drug indomethacin at a dose of 20 mg/kg, p.o. Wistar rats of either sex of 6 numbers in each group was undertaken for study and evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate reaction time, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and safety test on gastric mucosa method. Ethanolic extract of TD showed anti-nociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing characterized by a significant decrease in the number of writhings in rats (p < 0.01). In hot plate test, TD showed nociceptive reaction towards thermal stimuli in rats and a significant increase in the reaction time was observed (p < 0.01). The test drug significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats that is indicative of the anti-inflammatory effect of TD (p < 0.01). However, no gastric lesions were observed in TD treated rats indicating the safety of test drug. The ethanolic extract of TD showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in different animal models.