Antinociceptive and anti-Inflammatory effects of the standardized oil of Indian <i>Callistemon lanceolatus</i> leaves in experimental animals

Abstract

The effect of Callistemon lanceolatus (Syn. C. citrinus curtis; Family: Myrtaceae) leaf oil was studied for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity in experimental animals. C. lanceolatus, 25 – 100 mg/kg administered orally for 3 days exhibited graded dose response equivalent to 21.95% - 89.90% protection in the tail flick latent test in rat. The C. lanceolatus oil (50 and 100 mg/kg, given orally for 3 days) was effective in hot plate reaction time (64.05% and 112.97%, p<0.01 and p<0.001), analgesymeter induced mechanical pain (28.17% and 54.42%, p<0.01 and p<0.001) and acetic acid- induced writhing (26.68% and 51.79%, p<0.5 and p<0.05) in mice. The oil of C. lanceolatus potentiated the analgesic activity with pentazocine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and aspirin (25 mg/kg, i.p.). In the carrageenan-induced paw edema C. lanceolatus oil (50 and 100 mg/kg, given orally for 3 days) decreased paw volume significantly (26.68% and 51.79%) and dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity in 1-3 hour time interval and potentiated with nimesulide (50 mg/kg, p.o.). In summary, this study demonstrates that leaf oil of C. lanceolatus has significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity.

Keywords: Callistemon lanceolatus, oil, pain, inflammation

East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 7 2004: 10-15