Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Physalis angulata Linn. (Solanaceae) Leaf Methanolic Extract in Swiss Albino Mice

Physalis angulata is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of malaria, ulcer, pains and other diverse ailments. The present study evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic leaf extract of the plant. Acetic acid-induced abdominal contraction or writhing analgesic models in Swiss albino mice (13-23g) were used for studying analgesic activity of the leaf extract. 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract were administered intraperitoneally. Analgesic activities of the extract were compared with standard reference drug ibuprofen (100 mg/kg) and negative control. The plant extract showed a significant dose dependent analgesic effect, with 72.7% inhibition at 400 mg/kg compared to that of the 100 mg/kg standard drug ibuprofen which showed 21.2% inhibition (P< 0.05). The anti-inflammatory activity of the extract against carrageenan-induced paw edema was also dose-dependent with 62.71% inhibition at 400 mg/kg when compared to that of the standard drug with 34.31% inhibition. The study showed that P. angulata was effective in pain reduction (analgesia) and acted as a good anti-inflammatory agent, which supports the claim in traditional medicine.