Pharmacological evaluation of the analgesic and anxiolytic activities of Jobelyn® in mice.

Abstract Background: This study presents the results of the pharmacological evaluation of the analgesic and anxiolytic potentials of Jobelyn®, a potent antioxidant African herbal formulation, in mice. The analgesic effect was assessed utilizing acetic acid-induced writhing, tail immersion and formalin-induced paw licking pain models. The anxiolytic activity was evaluated using elevated-plus maze (EPM) and light/dark box. Methods: Mice (5/group) were treated with JB (10-200 mg/kg, p.o.) 1 h before the tests were carried out. In the writhing test, the number of abdominal constrictions was recorded for a period of 30 min after induction of nociception with 0.6% acetic acid, i.p. In the tail immersion test, the latency to tail withdrawal responses to noxious heat was measured. The duration of paw licking (s) was measured as an index of nociception in the formalin test. In the anxiolytic test, the patterns of transition in the two arms of the EPM and in the light/dark box were assessed. Results: JB (10-200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the inflammatory pain produced by acetic acid as evidenced by decreased number of abdominal constrictions in comparison with the control. It also shows higher potency in suppressing the inflammatory pain associated with the second phase of the formalin test. However, JB did not exhibit anxiolytic properties nor modify the pain behavior in the tail immersion test. Conclusions: The results obtained from this study suggest that Jobelyn® might be efficacious against inflammatory pain and further support its recommendation for the management of pain with inflammation as the underlying factor.