Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Methanol Extract of Cucumis callosus Roots in Animal Models

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the root of Cucumis callosus (Rottl.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae) using different animal models. Materials and Methods: The methanol extract of the identified root part of plant Cucumis callosus was used for the evaluation of antinociceptve effect using three animal models namely; acetic acid-induced writhing response, hot plate method and the tail flick test in mice. The anti-inflammatory activity was established using carrageenan, dextran and histamine induced rat acute paw oedema models. However cotton pellet induced granuloma model in rats was used to establish its effect in the chronic model of inflammation. Results: In the study the methanol extract of Cucumis callosus (MECC) exhibited significant (p<0.01) analgesic effect at a dose of 200 and 400 mg kgG1 b.wt., p.o. in mice in all the models. The MECC also exhibited significant (p<0.01) anti-inflammatory activity in all the models used for acute inflammation. The MECC at 400 mg kgG1 inhibited 25.0% of granuloma formation, whereas indomethacin at of 10 mg kgG1 showed 47.7% inhibition in cotton pellet induced granuloma model (p<0.01). However, the extract and indomethacin were effectively preventing the transudation of the fluid. Conclusion: Thus, the present study revealed that the methanol extract of the root of Cucumis callosus exhibited significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity that will light a new study weapon for ethnopharmacological study in future.