Evaluation of Potential Therapeutic Activity of Nelumbo nucifera as Anti Inflammatory and Analgesic Agent in Rat Model

Abstract

Although inflammation is the body's defensive action against cell or tissue damage in order to prevent and treat diseases like infections, chronic or excessive inflammation can be dangerous and can develop several health issues. Nowadays, conventional drugs for inflammation are growing more expensive with increased levels of risks and can only provide specific treatments. On the contrary, medicinal plants are highly beneficial natural sources for anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatments which lessen the cost and risks in medications. Thus, studies were conducted and carried out in vivo and in silico to assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Nelumbo nucifera, commonly known as “Sacred Lotus” in rats. Nelumbo nucifera plants were collected and then extracted with 70% ethanol for the research on its anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Moreover, carrageenan, acetic acid, standard drugs (Ibuprofen and Aspirin) and blood serum measuring kits were made available for the study. Additionally, Wister albino rats were separated into 5 groups and subjected to the in vivo analysis ensuring strict compliance with the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IEAC) guidelines. In this study, carrageenan induced tests were observed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity and for the evaluation of analgesic effect writhing tests upon acetic acid induction and tail flick tests were performed. Correspondingly, the results of the test Nelumbo nucifera plant showed similar potential with improved safety measures in anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity with the traditional medicines.  In the test of anti-inflammatory efficacy, we observed a highly significant decrease (p< 0.05) in paw volume in the rats treated with high dose of Nelumbo nucifera.  When Nelumbo nucifera was administered in both the writhing test and the tail flick test, where rats were given acetic acid, we also noticed a significant result in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, with high doses of Nelumbo nucifera demonstrated highly statistical significance (p<0.05) in most of the case. whereas control medicines displayed more precise activity than that of plant extract. Thus, it may be concluded that the whole extract of Nelumbo nucifera had potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in rats but the potency comes little bit lower than standard marketed drug. Therefore, frequent and progressive studies should be conducted in order to increase the prevalence for integration of medicinal plants in the treatment of inflammation and pain caused in various health conditions.