Exploration of antinociceptive, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of Curcumin in male rat

Abstract

Curcumin, one of active ingredients of Curcuma spp. Roxb (Zingiberaceae) is referred to main medicinal part in this spice. In the present study, the analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions of Curcumin were investigated in male rats. Ninety Albino male rats (110-125g) were used in this study (six animals were used in each test for Curcumin, aspirin and Pethedine). The effects of curcumin on nociceptive response using writhing, tail flicking and formalin tests in rats were evaluated. The antipyretic activity in yeast-induced fever and anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin-induced edema in rats were examined. Administration of curcumin significantly P<0.05 decreased the number of writhing and stretching induced by acetic acid, and suppressed the licking activity of the late phase in formalin test in rats. Curcumin had significant decrease P<0.05 effects on yeast-induced fever and carrageenin-induced edema in rats. Furthermore, the ED50 from Log dose response curve exhibited sequence order potency in formalin test, writhing reflex and tail flick as aspirin < curcumin. Curcumin showed synergistic effect centrally acting pethidine and peripheral analgesic aspirin. From these results it can be concluded that curcumin possesses analgesic effect via a different mechanism from that of aspirin and pethidine.