Antipyretic, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Qurs Afsanteen Saghir (A Polyherbal Unani Tablet) in Experimental Animals

Abstract

Qurs Afsanteen Saghir is a polyherbal Unani formulation in the form of tablet. This formulation consists of multiple medicinal plants like Afsanteen (Artemisia absinthium L.), Badam Talkh (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A.Webb), Asaroon (Asarum europaeum L.), Anisoon (Pimpinella anisum L.) and Tukhm-e-Karafs (Apium graveolens L.). The clinical adult dose of study drug is 3.5 –7 g per day as mentioned in Unani literature. The present study evaluated the antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of Qurs Afsanteen Saghir using different animal models. Antipyretic activity was measured using yeast-induced pyrexia model in rats at 360 and 720 mg/kg bw dose of test drug and paracetamol (70 mg/kg bw p.o.) as standard control. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice using test drug at dose 720 and 1440 mg/kg bw and diclofenac sodium (15 mg/kg bw p.o.) as standard control. Eddy’s hot plate test was conducted in rats using test drug at the dose of 360 and 720 mg/kg bw and buprenorphine (0.10 mg/kg s.q.) as standard control. Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats with the dose of 360 and 720 mg/kg of test drug and Indomethacin (10 mg/kg p.o.) as standard control. The study drug significantly reduced the temperature and pain at both dose levels in a time-dependent manner as compared to normal control. However, the reduction of inflammation was observed at low dose (360 mg/kg bw) only after 3 hours of carrageenan administration. These findings indicated that tested drug showed potential activity as antipyretic and analgesic; whereas the drug may not be considered quite effective as an anti-inflammatory agents.