ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF HERTIA INTERMEDIA LEAF EXTRACT IN RATS

Background: Hertia plants have been used in traditional societies to treat pain but to scientifically prove the analgesic effects of this plant, no comprehensive research has been done previously. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism of action and analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of Hertia intermedia leaf extract. Methodology: In this investigation, rats were given several doses of Hertia intermedia extract, and its analgesic effects were assessed using the tail-flick, hot plate, and formalin tests. Rats were pre-treated with naloxone to have a look at the potential mechanism. The levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 in the blood of rats were assessed. To gain insight into the active substances, phytochemical tests were carried out. Results: The study's findings demonstrated the potential of Hertia intermedia leaf extract to alleviate pain and inflammation at various doses. It is possible that the extract functions through opioid receptors because naloxone administrations also dramatically decreased the latency in response to pain in the hot plate and tail flick tests. When measured against the control group, the 150 mg/kg dose significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines. Conclusion: According to the study's findings, Hertia intermedia leaf extract mitigates inflammatory cytokines and has analgesic effects on both the central and peripheral nervous systems.