Investigation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seeds in male mice

In traditional medicine, some plants can relieve pain. Scrophularia striata is traditionally used among people living in Zagros area for its analgesic effects. In this study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seeds are investigated.

Eighty-four adult male NMRI mice were used. Xylene-induced ear edema test was used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity and formalin test was used to evaluate anti-nociceptive activity. In each of these two tests, the animals were divided into 6 groups (n = 7) including control, positive control (receiving dexamethasone in inflammatory test, and morphine in formalin test), and experimental groups receiving hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seeds at doses of 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg. Injections were performed intraperitoneally.

The results showed that the extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced inflammation at doses of 30, 90 and 120 mg/kg. Furthermore, the extract decreased acute phase of the pain by the dose of 120 mg/kg (p < 0.05), the peripheral phase by the doses of 60 (p < 0.05), 90 (p < 0.001), and 120 (p < 0.001) mg/kg, and the chronic phase by the doses of 90
(p < 0.001) and 120 (p < 0.001) mg/kg.

This study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Scrophularia striata seed has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in the animal model.