Anti-inflammatory and Anti-nociceptive Effects of Teucrium orientale L. Ethanolic Extract in Experimental Animals

Background: Teucrium orientale is commonly used as an analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant, protecting the liver and digestive system, and treating type 2 diabetes. Purpose: Evaluation of anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of ethanolic plant extract using animal models. Methods: The ethanolic extract was prepared using the maceration method from grounddried aerial parts of the plant. Analgesic effects were determined by acetic acid -induced writhing and hot plate test on mice. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated using Carageenan and Cotton pellet tests on rats. Result: In the writhing test, TOE (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) caused a significant reduction in abdominal contractions. Inhibition percentages of abdominal contractions in test groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg), morphine and mefenamic acid were 87.40%, 91.80%, 98.29%, 94.40% and 96.89%, respectively, which indicate the visceral analgesic effects. In hot plate tests, the pain threshold significantly increased in test groups. Extract in the doses of 100mg/kg (P< 0.001), 200mg/kg (P< 0.0001) and 400mg/kg (P< 0.001) significantly reduced the paw edema in the carrageenan test at the second hour. In the cotton pellet test, the prescribed doses of the plant (100-200 mg/kg; P<0.0001) significantly reduced the formation of granuloma tissue and reduced the rate of edema. The percentage of inhibition of granuloma tissue by indomethacin and extract at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were 39.19%, 66.75% and 75.49%, respectively, and the percentage of inhibition of exudates were 26.5%, 55.57% and 67.24%, respectively. Conclusion: These results clearly showed the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect of Teucrium orientale extract in animal models.