Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens

Most of synthetic drugs show different side effects, that is why in recent decade most researchers have focused on the use of herbal drugs to cure diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory and anti nociceptive effects of hydro alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens (A.g.). In this experimental research, 84 NMRI male mice were divided in 7 groups based on inflammation test: first group were Sham. The second group, positive control group, received dexamethasone (15 mg/kg) and the other 5 groups received different doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of Apium graveolens (A.g.) (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg, respectively). The inflammation was caused by xylene-induced ear oedema. In order to evaluate the antinocicetive effent of Apium graveolens, we used formalin test. In formalin test, mice were divided into 7 groups: sham, morphine (10 mg/kg), as positive control group, and A.g. extract groups (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg). All drugs were administrated intraperitonally (i.p.), 15 min before test. The data were analyzed by use of one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s test was then conducted. The results indicated that A.g. extract had anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. The optimal anti-inflammatory activity was at 400 mg/kg dose of extract (P<0.01) and the optimal antinociceptive effect was at 300 mg/kg dose of extract (P<0.01) in 1st and 2nd phase of formalin test. It has been shown that the A.g. extract contains volatile oils, flavenoids and resins. Therefore, it could be suggested that the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of this plant are due to these compounds.