Evaluation of the Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Althea Root on Experimental Inflammation and Pain Due to Injection of Formalin in Male Rrats

The application of herbal plants instead of synthetic drugs is increasing in recent years because of their lower side-effects and high varieties of efficient components. The study of antiinflammatory and antinociceptive effects of hydroalcoholic Althea officinalis root extract. seems to be necessary due to the existence of its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components. In this study the effect of injection of Althea's root extract on experimental inflammation and pain was investigated. For evaluation of the analgesis effect of Althea plant, 30 male rats with an average weight of 180-220 g were selected. It was used Xylene-induced ear edema and Formalin tests for investigating anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Althea plant. In each of these two tests, the animals were divided into 6 groups(each group consisting of 6 mice)interventionaland, positive control groups(receiving dexamethasone at in inflammatory test, and receiving morphine in formalin test), and experimental groups receiving hydroalchoholic extract at doses of 50, 100and 200 mg/kg. Hydro-alcoholic Althea officinalis root extract reduced inflammation produced xylene, especially in high doses 200 mg/kg, compored to the intervention and positive control groups(p<0.05). Also, hydroalcoholic extract of Althea root in all doses, especially, in dose of 200 mg/k decreased the formalin-induced pain. The hydroalcoholic of Althea officinalis root extract had antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effect in both phases(especially inflammatory phase), which was caused by formalin, and this effect may be beacause of flavonoid and tannin components in plants, which had anti-inflammation and antinociceptive properties.