Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of Ocimum sanctum: a comparative study using animal models

Abstract

Background: Ocimum sanctum commonly known as Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in the Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of O. sanctum aqueous leaf extract in thermal and chemical induced pain and inflammatory animal models. Methods: Wistar albino rats (150-200 g) and swiss albino mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. The control group, test group, and standard drugs group received normal saline, O. sanctum extract (100 mg/kg), aspirin, and celecoxib respectively, by oral feeding. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats. Analgesic effect was assessed by hot plate method and acetic acid induced writhing method in mice. Results: In carrageenan induced rat paw edema, maximum inhibition by O. sanctum , aspirin, and celecoxib were 13.43%, 30%, and 32%, respectively, and time to reach maximum inhibition for O. sanctum was 2 hrs. In cotton pellet induced granuloma, percentage inhibition by O. sanctum , aspirin, and celecoxib were 23.85%, 45.84%, and 42.77%, respectively. In hot plate method, maximum inhibition by O. sanctum , aspirin and celecoxib were 143.92%, 288.18%, and 260.59%, respectively. In acetic acid induced writhing method, percentage protection by O. sanctum , aspirin, and celecoxib were 50.2%, 71.4%, and 66.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The current study demonstrates statistically significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of O. sanctum .