Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha in laboratory animals

Ethyl acetate extract of heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha (EAA) (Family: Thymelaceceae) was tested for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities using established methods and models reported in literature. Inhibition of the Acetic Acid induced abdominal constriction was observed at the doses of EAA 50 (34.51 %), 100 (55.65 %) and 200 (65.29 %) mg/kg as compared to the control group. EAA reduced the pain in the early (neurogenic) phase at doses of 50 (26.68 %), 100 (39.49 %) and 200 (59.87 %) mg/kg and late (inflammatory) phase at doses of 50 (21.9 %), 100 (58.1 %) and 200 (80.2 %) mg/kg of formalin induced paw licking in mice. EAA 50 (34.3 %), 100 (44.44 %) and 200 (82.68 %) mg/kg showed significant increase in latency time for thermal stimulation in tail flick test. On the anti-inflammatory front, EAA 50 (51.38 %), 100 (55.09 %), 200 (56.25 %) showed a significant decrease in edema induced by carrageenan in the third hour of the assay (edema peak) when compared to the normal control. In cotton pellet granuloma formation, EAA 50 (43.46 %), 100 (68.24 %), 200 (77.18 %) showed a significant reduction in the weight of granuloma in rats. The potential to cause ulcers by EAA (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p,o.) was comparatively less than that of diclofenac. In conclusion, heartwood of Aquilaria agallocha has analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory activities.