Publication:

Comparative study of analgesic effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts with aspirin on experimental animals

Background Moringa oleifera is highly valued with a wide range of medicinal uses. It is abundantly available in tropical and sub-tropical countries. It has been used as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory in Indian folk medicine since centuries. The mechanism of action of analgesic effect is by the phytochemical components of its leaves which contain alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, saponins and tannin.

Methods This experiment is carried out in mice by using the thermal method of analgesiometer, that is Eddy’s Hot Plate method. Thermostatically controlled electrically heated plate is used in this method. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts are compared with aspirin.

Results When the analgesic properties of the standard drug aspirin were compared to the analgesic properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera, the ethanolic extract showed a comparable analgesic effect with aspirin at 90min. Among these two extracts, the ethanolic extract showed a higher response than aqueous extract.

Conclusions When the analgesic properties of the standard drug aspirin were compared to the analgesic properties of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera, the ethanolic extract showed a comparable analgesic effect with aspirin at 90min. Among these two extracts, the ethanolic extract showed a higher response than aqueous extract.