Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of methanolic extract of Punica granatum leaves using carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced writhing models

Pain and inflammation are common sensation triggered by various harmful stimuli, leading to release of chemical mediators. Punica granatum has traditionally been used for pain relief. To evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of methanolic extract of Punica granatum leaves using Swiss albino mice. Anti-inflammatory effect was demonstrated by carrageenan-induced paw edema on experimental model. Acetic acid-induced writhing test was conducted for determining analgesic effect of this extract. The methanolic extract of Punica granatum leaves showed dose-dependent effect in the inhibition of paw edema in mice, with maximum effect 34.61% was obtained at 400 mg/kg, and standard diclofenac sodium had 57.69% inhibitory effect on paw edema. In acetic acid acid-induced writhing test, the extract showed 16.66% and 30.55% inhibition at 200 mg/kg and 400mg/kg doses, whereas standard diclofenac sodium showed 77.77% inhibition of writhing. The extract has moderate in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.