Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Tubers and Different Fractions of Eulophia nuda Lindl.

Recently, in human and animal diseases, inflammation and pain have become the focus of scientific research as it affects more people than any other disease. Inflammation is the natural phenomenon of the immune response to remove stimuli when the body is exposed to external/internal injury. Eulophia nuda Lindl. is a perennial orchid and belongs to the family Orchidaceae. This plant is used according to folklore for the treatment of human breast cancer, inflammation, pain and as an antioxidant. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential of the ethanolic extract of tubers and different fractions of Eulophia nuda. The ethanolic extract (ENEE) and different fractions of E. nuda were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction. ENEE and obtained fractions were used to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity assessed on carrageenan-induced inflammation using the cotton pellet method. The ENEE and different fractions were also used to evaluate analgesic activity by assessing via the tail immersion test and hot plate method. The significant results from the present study indicate that ethanolic extract and its different fractions possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential, supporting the traditional uses of the plant. Further investigation is required to reveal the exact metabolites responsible for the observed result.