Investigation of centrally and peripherally acting analgesic and anti inflammatory activity of biological immune response modulator (an Amazonian plant extract) in animal models of pain and inflammation

Background: Biological immune response modulator (BIRM) - An aqueous extract of dried roots of the species Dulcamara (family Solanaceae) grown in Ecuador, considered as a natural remedy for various disease is promoted as a natural herbal medicine. Our aim of the study was to assess the central and peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory property of BIRM and to study its mechanism of action.Methods: Peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing test and carrageenan paw edema test in male Swiss Albino mice (n=8 per group). Formalin test was taken up to evaluate BIRM’s centrally, as well as peripheral antinociceptive action.Results: We observed through our studies that BIRM when administered repeatedly for 7 days (4 ml/kg, p.o.) was able to exert its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity through central and peripheral mechanism. BIRM was able to significantly inhibit both acetic acid induced writhes and carrageenan-induced paw edema indicating it’s possible peripheral analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. BIRM was also able to inhibit both neurogenic and inflammatory pain in the formalin test indicating its action through central and peripheral nervous system.Conclusion: Our study results show that BIRM has the potential anti-inflammatory property and is able to exert its anti-nociceptive effect through both central and peripheral mechanisms