Evaluation of analgesic and antipyretic activity of Nigella sativa: an experimental study

Abstract

Background: Drugs commonly used in modern medicine for suppression of pain and fever provide only symptomatic relief, and long-term use of these drugs is associated with serious adverse effects. Recently, some evidences suggest that Nigella sativa inhibit eicosanoid generation in leukocytes and lipid peroxidation. They are reported to inhibit both cyclooxygenase and 5-lipooxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism (Houghton et al. Planta Med 1995;61:33–6). Aims and Objectives: To investigate the analgesic and antipyretic activity of N. sativa seed fixed oil and compare it with control and aspirin. Materials and Methods: Albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 180–200 g and Swiss mice weighing 25–30 g were used. The study was conducted after approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. The tail flick method in rats described by D’Amour and Smith and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice were used for evaluation of analgesic activity and baker’s yeast-induced pyrexia method was used to evaluate antipyretic activity. Result: In tail flick method of analgesia, N. sativa showed analgesic activity, which was comparable with aspirin. In acetic acid-induced writhing model of analgesia, the action of N. sativa was significantly greater than the control group, and it was comparable with aspirin. In baker’s yeast-induced pyrexia method, N. sativa group did not show any significant reduction in the rectal temperature at any hour interval. The changes in the rectal temperature in N. sativa group were comparable with control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Nigella sativa fixed oil has significant analgesic activity in both tail flick and acetic acid-induced method of analgesia. But, it does not have any significant antipyretic activity in baker’s yeast-induced pyrexia method.