Variable potentiation of analgesic anti- inflammatory activity of diclofenac by two medicinal plants rubia cordifolia and cassia fistula in wistar albino rats

Background: NSAIDS are commonly prescribed drugs in clinical practice. However, their usage is limited by their toxicity profile and research continues for an alternative therapy with higher efficacy and safety. Various plant preparations found to be safe and effective are emerging, but their interactions with synthetic drugs are not much known.Methods: Wistar rats were divided in to four groups of six animals each Rubia cordifolia (RC) root preparation and casissia fistula (CF) leaf preparation were studied with sub anti-inflammatory dose of diclofenac in various analgesic, acute and subacute inflammatory models and test results variables were expressed in mean reaction time, paw edema volume and granuloma weight respectively.Results: Various test results were tabulated, statistically analysed and significance was calculated at P value <0.5. Eddy’s hot plate model did not show any significant change, but carrageenan induced paw edema model and cotton pellet induced granuloma model showed comparable decrease in paw edema volume and granuloma dry weight.Conclusions: Diclofenac, a standard analgesic and anti –inflammatory was not potentiated in pain model but it was potentiated in carrageenan and cotton pellet granuloma models in a variable manner. CF potentiates acute anti-inflammatory action, whereas RC potentiates subacute anti-inflammatory actions of diclofenac