Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Female Cones of Juniper (Juniperus excelsa) and Plantago ovata in Male Wistar Rats

Background and Objectives: Today, given the numerous complications caused by use of chemical drugs, attention has been paid to the use of herbal medicines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of female cones of Juniper and Plantago ovata in male Wistar rats.   Methods: In this study, 144 male Wistar rats were used. To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of each extract using formalin and xylene test, the animals were divided into 6 groups. The groups received hydroalcoholic extract of female cones of Juniper (at doses of 50, 100, 150, and 200mg/kg) and hydroalcoholic extract of Plantago ovata (at doses 10, 50,100, and 150mg/kg) orally by gavage for 28 days. The control groups (normal saline recipients) and positive control (receiving morphine at dose of 10mg/kg in the pain group or dexamethasone at dose of 15mg/kg in the inflammatory group), were considered for each extract. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to determine the difference between the groups.   Results: In this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of the female cone of Juniper and Plantago ovata significantly decreased the pain in two acute (p≤0.05) and chronic (p≥0.05) phases. Also, the results of the test of xylene showed the reducing effect of both extracts on inflammation (p≤0.05).     Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of the female cone of Juniper and Plantago ovata has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties.