Investigating the Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity of Leaves of Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr. in Standard Experimental Animal

The ethanolic extract of wedelia chinensis (eewc) belonging to the family ofasteraceaewas evaluated by hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing methods to assess its analgesicactivity. the extract was also evaluated for its by using on carrageenan, mediators such ashistamine and serotonin induced paw oedema, and cotton pellet induced granuloma tests forits effect on acute and chronic phase inflammation models in rats, as well as analgesic activityin mice. it was found that the extract caused an inhibition on the writhing response inducedby acetic acid in a dose dependent manner. dose of 500 mglkg eewc and aspirin couldblock the writhing response by 51.92 % and 68.68 % (p < 0.001) , respectively. it was alsoindicated that the eewc showed significant anti nociceptive action in hot plate reaction timemethod in mice. this effect was comparable to that of standard drug morphine treated controls,suggesting the central activity ofeewc. maximum inhibition (56.14 %) was obtained at thedose of 500 mglkg after 3 h of drug treatment in carrageenan induced paw oedema, whereasindomethacin (standard drug) produced 61.65 % of inhibition. in the chronic model (cottonpellet induced granuloma) the eewc (125,250 and 500 mglkg) and standard drug showeddecreased formation of granuloma tissue by 56.69,34.57,43 .30 % and 55.23 % respectively.the results indicate the potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic efficacyof wedelia chinensis extract on animal models which are comparable with those of standarddrugs such as aspirin, morphine and indomethacin respectively.