Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Present study evaluates the Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of various extracts of pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima using various experimental models. The analgesic activity pods of Caesalpinia pulcherrima carried out using acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and tail flick test in rats. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet-granuloma formation in rats. The effects of the administration of reference standard (diclofenac) were also evaluated. Two different extracts (Petroleum ether and Methanolic) of Caesalpinia pulcherrima at the dose level of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. were tested. Treatment with Methanol extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant (p<0.01) inhibition of carrageenan induced rat paw edema. Maximum inhibition was observed at 400 mg/kg dose as compared to the control ,cotton pellet granuloma formation and acetic acid-induced writhing; however, pet ether and methanolic extracts (400 mg/kg, p.o.) were found to be more effective in increasing latency period in tail flick method. The results obtained indicate that C. pulcherrima has analgesic and antiinflammatory activities that supports the folk medicinal use of the plant.