Protective Effects of a Polyherbal Formulation, Freemodex, Against Acute Models of Pain, Inflammation, Arthritis, and Immunosuppression

Abstract

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic and immunomodulatory activities of Freemodex. Materials and Methods: Acute models of pain – formalin-induced paw licking, inflammation – egg albumin induced paw edema, arthritis – turpentine-induced arthritis, and immunosuppression – carbon clearance test and cyclophosphamide-induced neutropenia were evaluated using rats and mice. The degree of protection was determined for antiarthritic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities by measuring the paw volume, percentage inhibition, the number of writhing movements, the duration of paw licking in the injected paw, paw linear circumference, and the joint diameter. The estimation of phagocytic index, the total leukocyte count, and the percentage reduction in the neutrophil count were indexed for the evaluation of immunosuppression. Freemodex was administered at 40 and 80 mg/kg to rats and 80 and 160 mg/kg to mice. Results: Dose-dependent reduction in paw licking was observed in the formalin model. Reduction in paw volume was seen in the animals treated with egg albumin and Freemodex. Arthritis was also found to be decreased on the basis of the synovial joint size and phagocytic index. Leukocytes and neutrophils were also normalized in mice. Conclusion: The study’s findings suggest a protective role for Freemodex.