Ethanolic extract of Tabernaemontana divaricata L. (TD) flowers were evaluated for analgesic and antiinflammatory effects on Wistar rat model. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of TD flowers at doses of 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg was evaluated against the standard drug indomethacin at a dose of 20 mg/kg, p.o. Wistar rats of either sex of 6 numbers in each group was undertaken for study and evaluated by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate reaction time, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and safety test on gastric mucosa method. Ethanolic extract of TD showed anti-nociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing characterized by a significant decrease in the number of writhings in rats (p < 0.01). In hot plate test, TD showed nociceptive reaction towards thermal stimuli in rats and a significant increase in the reaction time was observed (p < 0.01). The test drug significantly inhibited the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in rats that is indicative of the anti-inflammatory effect of TD (p < 0.01). However, no gastric lesions were observed in TD treated rats indicating the safety of test drug. The ethanolic extract of TD showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in different animal models.
