Anti-noceceptive and Anti -inflammatory Activity of Leaves of Hibiscus - Rosa Sinensis

Hibiscus rosasinensis L. (Malvaceae) is used in folk medicine for the treatment of pain and various inflammatory conditions such as the inflammation of oral mucosa, blenorrhoea, and asthmatic bronchitis. In the present study the methanolic extract of Hibiscus rosasinensis leaves ( 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight orally) was studied for anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities in various animal models. The antiinflammatory activity was studied in carrageenin and dextran induced rat paw edema using Indomethacine as standard which showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. The peripheral analgesic activity was studied in rats using acetic acid-induced writhing response and tail flick method by using Pethedine (5mg/kg body weight, intraperitonially) as standard. The extract showed significant dose-dependent analgesic activity in both the models.