Publication:

Evaluation of analgesic activity of levofloxacin in adult albino rats

Background Levofloxacin is a fluorinated quinolone antimicrobial used in the treatment of various bacterial infections and was active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Levofloxacin is an optically active isomer of ofloxacin. Apart from its antibacterial action, it also exhibit antinociceptive properties. This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the analgesic activity of Levofloxacin in albino rat in comparison with aspirin.

Methods Thirty adult albino rats weighing 150-250 gm were obtained from central animal house. The animals were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group I served as control received normal feed and water. Group II served as standard received tablet aspirin 100 mg/kg (oral) and Group III, IV, V served as test T1, T2, T3 and received tablet levofloxacin 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg (oral), respectively. The analgesic effect of levofloxacin was evaluated using Eddy’s hot plate and tail flick methods and compared with standard analgesic aspirin. The values obtained were expressed as mean±SD. Statistical analysis of difference between groups were carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Probability p<0.05 was taken as the level of statistical significance.

Results Levofloxacin at 40 mg/kg showed statistically (p<0.05) elevation in pain threshold and a higher antinociceptive activity in comparison to control and standard groups.

Conclusions In the present study, levofloxacin has showed promising results as an analgesic when compared to the control and standard groups. It may be a lead compound for identifying newer adjuvant analgesic agents.