Analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activities of epicatechin gallate from Bauhinia hookeri

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery

The acetic acid‐induced writhing and hot plate models in mice were utilized to determine the analgesic effect of epicatechin gallate (ECG) isolated from Bauhinia hookeri. The anti‐inflammatory activity of ECG was determined using carrageenan‐induced paw edema model. The pro‐inflammatory mediators (PGE₂, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) were estimated in the plasma of different treatment groups. ECG was tested at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o. and diclofenac sodium was used as a standard drug (100 mg/kg) in all experiments. ECG significantly (p < .001) suppressed the writhing response in mice. The inhibition percentages were 32, 52, and 62%, at the tested doses of ECG, respectively as compared to the positive control group receiving acetic acid only. Furthermore, ECG significantly (p < .001) increased the reaction time in hot plate model. The maximum analgesic effect was evident after 120 min. ECG demonstrated a significant anti‐inflammatory activity as evidenced by the inhibition of carrageenan‐induced paw edema (46, 50, and 58%, at the tested doses, respectively). This effect was persistent all over the experimental period. ECG produced a significant (p < .001) reduction in plasma PGE₂ (by 27, 38, and 50%), TNF‐α (15, 33, and 41%), IL‐1β (17, 25, and 33%), and IL‐6 (22, 32, and 43%), at the tested doses, respectively. This study supports the use of ECG as both analgesic and anti‐inflammatory agent.