Analgesic and ulcerogenic effect of methanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus and histopathological evaluation

In this study, the analgesic effect of Artemisia dracunculus, which has been used in traditional medicine as an analgesic, anti-rheumatic and toothache releiver was studied. For extraction, suxhelet and percolation methods by 80% methanol was used. The extract was then concentrated and the weight of dried extract was determined and dissolved in normal saline to produce desired concentration. The analgesic effect of the extract was determined by the formalin and hot-plate tests. The results of formalin test showed that all doses of the extract have analgesic effect in comparison with control group and the extract at a dose of 800 mg/kg produces the highest analgesic effect. In this respect, there was no significant difference regarding the extracting methods. The results of hot plate showed that the extract at a dose of 800 mg/kg has a significant analgesic effect compared to control group. In addition, the analgesic effect of extract was compared with ASA and morphine by formalin and hot plate tests. The results showed that the analgesic effect of 800 mg/kg of extract was higher than ASA and lower than morphine in some trials. Furthermore, pretreatment of animals with naloxone decreased the analgesic effect of extract. Therefore, it seems that part of analgesic effect of the extract may be attributed to opioid system. At the end of the study, those rats receiving 800 and 1600 mg/kg of the extract and control ones were collected for histopathological evaluation. The results showed that there is only small congestion in liver and kidney after the extract injection. In addition, there was no sign of peptic ulcer in comparison with rats receiving indomethacin.