Screening of Antioxidant, Analgesic, Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Zingiber barbatum Methanolic Extracts in Mice Model: In Vitro & In Vivo Study

This study examines the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic properties of the methanolic extract of the Zingiber barbatum (ZbME) rhizome to validate traditional applications and explore its potential as an alternative to NSAIDS. Standard assays were used to evaluate the extract's antioxidant capacity as well as its phenolic and flavonoid levels. Swiss albino mice were used to test their analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties utilizing models of carrageenan-induced edema, acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, hot plate, and yeast-induced pyrexia. GraphPad Prism with ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test were used to examine the data. Quantitative analysis showed the crude extract contained 70.675 mg GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalent) per gram of total phenolic content and 25.365 mg QE (Quercetin Equivalent) per gram of total flavonoid content, with a total antioxidant capacity of 339.258 mg AAE (Ascorbic Acid Equivalent)/g DW (Dry Weight). In dose-dependent analgesic testing, ZbME inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing by 47.18%, 64.08%, and 66.67% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Significant reductions in paw-licking responses were noted in the formalin test, with the 400 mg/kg dose showing the highest inhibition. The hot plate test also confirmed ZbME's analgesic effects, with the 400 mg/kg dose significantly extending latency times compared to ketorolac. Like paracetamol, ZbME at 200 and 400 mg/kg lowered body temperatures in a yeast-induced fever model. Thus, ZbME 400 mg/kg inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema better than Indomethacin in anti-inflammatory testing. The methanolic extract of Zingiber barbatum rhizomes demonstrates notable anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects, validating its traditional uses. It may serve as a potential alternative to NSAIDS with less adverse effects.