Evaluation and comparison of analgesic activity of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris: an experimental study

Abstract

Background: Since the time of stone age herbs in its natural forms are used for a variety of medicinal purposes including the treatment of pain. Research in herbal medicine is in a relatively early phase. Herbal approaches usually have been pursued because of the perception that these therapies are gentler and cause fewer side effects than allopathic treatment. The aim was to evaluate and compare the analgesic activity of essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris in wistar rats.Methods: Wistar rats and hot plate method was used for this study. Control group (Group A) of 6 animals was given normal saline. Group B of 6 animals was given standard analgesic drug, aspirin (200mg/kg body weight). Group C of 6 rats was given REO at 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight on day 1, 2, 3 and 4 while Group D of 6 animals was given TEO at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body wt. The analgesic activity of REO and TEO in terms of Response Time were noted and depicted in tabular form.Results: Results were analyzed by one-way-Anova and Tukey tests. Analgesic effect of Rosemary oil found to be statistically significant at all four doses, 100, 200, 300 and 400mg/kg body wt compared to control group. TEO was found significantly analgesic at 100 and 200mg/kg body wt compared to control group but at 300mg/kg body it was found lethal. REO was found superior.Conclusions: Analgesic effect of REO and TEO was not comparable to aspirin even at higher concentration like 400mg/kg (REO) but it was significantly more compare to control group.