Screening of in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of methanolic extract of roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. in rats

Abstract

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of methanolic extract of roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. was evaluated by carrageenan induced paw oedema and acetic acid induced writhing reflex, respectively, in rats using different doses. Both the activities were compared with indomethacin (10 mg/kg). The methanolic extract of roots of G. glabra (250 and 500 mg/kg) produces the significant (p<0.05) reduction in the formation of oedema induced by carrageenan. In the acetic acid induced writhing model, the extract had a good analgesic effect characterized by a significantly reduction (p<0.05) in the number of writhes when compared to the control and standard. Hence, the methanolic extract of roots of G. glabra (250 and 500 mg/kg) shows positive anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity at dose dependent manner particularly by attenuating the peripheral pain mechanism.