Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Like Effects of Berberis baluchistanica

Background: Numerous therapeutic agents are in clinical practice for the treatment of inflammatory and painful conditions, but their applications have been challenged by various side /toxic effects. Therefore, new effective and safe therapies are most warrant, for which medicinal plant could be a significant alternative. Berberis baluchistanica has traditionally been used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory without any scientific background.

Objective: The current study was designed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory like effects of extract B. baluchistanica in animal models.

Methods: For the study of antinociceptive effect, an extractof B. baluchistanica (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg i.p.), was tested in acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin tests. While for the anti-inflammatory action, carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet induced granuloma and xylene induced ear edema tests were used.

Results: The results showed the significant dose-dependent antinociceptive effect of extract of B. baluchistanica in acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced flinching behavior tests. However, the effect was strongly antagonized by the injection of naloxone, suggesting the expression via opioidergic receptors. Similarly, strong anti-inflammatory action was illustrated in carrageenan- induced paw edema, cotton pellet induced granuloma and xylene induced ear edema tests and thus provided evidence for the versatile phytochemical nature of its phytochemical.

Conclusion: In short, it is concluded that the extract of B. baluchistanica exhibited significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in animal models. Further detailed studies on the efficacy and safety as well as on the phytochemical investigation are required to ascertain its clinical uses.