anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of the ethanolic extract of propolis in male mice and rats

Background: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) are usually used to alleviate pain and inflammation. the widespread use of nsaids has caused the risk and side effects of these drugs commonly increase. objectives: this study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of ethanolic extract of propolis (eep) in male mice and rats. methods: in this experimental study, eep was prepared and administered in doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of body weight. the anti-inflammatory potential was assessed by inflammatory models of xylene-induced ear edema and cotton pellet granuloma tests, whereas the antinociceptive potential was assessed by formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing methods. results: the eep at doses of 100 (p < 0.05), 200 (p < 0.001) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) significantly diminished the foundation of edema caused by xylene. a significant decrease was seen in granuloma weight in eep at doses of 200 (p < 0.001) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). the extract caused a significant decrease in licking time at first phase in eep at 100 (p < 0.01), 200 (p < 0.001), and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). a significant decrease was observed (p < 0.001) in licking time at the second phase in eep at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. in the writhing model, a significant decrease was observed in the number of writhes in eep at doses of 100 (p < 0.05), 200 (p < 0.001), and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001). conclusions: the findings of this research showed that the ethanolic extract of propolis has considerable anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities.