Evaluation of analgesic activity of crude extract of blueberry (Vaccinium) fruit in wistar rats

Background: Pain is a very common complaint for a medical shop visit worldwide. Prostaglandin, a Cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway intermediate product is involved in the development of inflammation and pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent one of the most common classes of medications used with or without prescription. Most of the NSAIDs are liable to cause severe side effects such as gastrointestinal ulceration, perforation, obstruction, and bleeding because of its carboxylic acid moiety. Nowadays, the use of traditional medicine information on plant has got considerable interest. Among many medicinal herbs, Blueberry is very important as it contains antioxidants which neutralize free radicals linked to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other age-related conditions. These berries contain anthocyanins, other polyphenols and various phytochemicals which are very good antioxidants. Blueberry contains polyphenols which attenuate inflammatory responses probably by reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of Crude extract of Blueberry fruits (Vaccinium) on nociception and to get a tasty and safe way to fight with pain. Objectives of this study was to observe the effect of Blueberry on the response time by licking of rat-paw and to compare this effect with that of Aspirin. Result: Blueberry Fruit Extract at the dose of 300mg/kg body weight was found prophylactically efficient on suppressing pain and increasing pain threshold induced temperature in albino rats. Analgesic ability of Blueberry was found significant and comparable to Aspirin at this dose.