Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of gymnemic acid in Wistar rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of gymnemic acid (GA) in Wistar rats. The different doses of GA were tested for their anti-inflammatory in carrageenaninduced rat paw oedema animal model by using buzzer assisted plethysmograph and antinociceptive activities by tail immersion screening model in organ bath, respectively. It was found that GA at the dose of 100 and 150 mg/kg, p.o, significantly (P<0.01) inhibited the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and significantly (P<0.01) suppressed the threshold pain of rat by tail immersion method. GA showed significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities at 2nd and 3rd hr. Further, to know the possible mode of action, we evaluated the effect of GA on castor oil-induced diarrhea. The frequency of stool formation was reduced due to GA in castor oil-induced diarrhea, perhaps due to suppression of prostaglandin, suggesting anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. The current findings demonstrate that the administration of GA at the dose of 100 and 150 mg/kg, by oral route produced significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in Wistar rats.