Evaluation of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Curcuma mangga Val and Zijp rhizomes

The effects of Curcuma mangga ethanolic extract (CME) and its fractions, e.g., aqueous, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane fractions, from C. mangga rhizome were investigated on nociceptive responses using writhing, hot plate, and formalin tests in mice and inflammatory models using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and croton oil-induced mouse ear edema. The results showed that CME and all fractions (200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the number of writhings. Oral administration (p.o.) of CME, chloroform, and hexane fractions (200 mg/kg) significantly prolonged the latency time, whereas aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions were inactive. The activities of CME, chloroform, and hexane fractions were abolished by naloxone (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)). CME and all fractions at the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly produced antinociception in both early and late phases of the formalin test. CME, chloroform, and hexane fractions were more prominent in licking inhibition than those of the aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions. CME and all fractions (150 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant reduction of rat paw edema. The order of activity on inhibition of paw edema at 4 h was chloroform fraction > hexane fraction > ethyl acetate fraction > CME > aqueous fraction. When topically applied at 0.5 mg/ear, CME and all fractions suppressed ear edema induced by croton oil. CME and chloroform fraction showed a greater inhibition by 53.97 and 50.29%, respectively. These results suggested that CME and its fractions, especially chloroform and hexane fractions from C. mangga rhizome, possessed centrally acting analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory activities.