Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of the Essential oil from Cymbopogon flexuosus

Abstract:

Cymbopogon flexuosus (D.C) Stapf.(Graminae) commonly known as lemon grass is used as indigenous medicine.
Externally applied, it forms an excellent embrocation in chronic rheumatism, neuralgia and other painful affections.
Hence The essential oil from leaves of Cymbopogon flexuosus (D.C) Stapf (Graminae) was subjected to analgesic and
anti-inflammatory screening using various animal models. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using acute or
chronic treatment in rats. Analgesic effect of the essential oil was evaluated in acetic acid-induced writhing and tail flick
model.The essential oil exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities in the acute carrageenan-induced rat paw
edema and the chronic granuloma pouch models. However, it was devoid of analgesic activity in tail flick model.On the
basis of these findings, it may be inferred that Cymbopogon flexuosus is an anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent and
the results are in agreement with its traditional use.