Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Crocus sativus L. stigma and petal extracts in mice

We used aqueous and ethanolic maceration extracts of Crocus sativus L. stigma andpetals. Antinociceptive activity was examined using the hot plate and writhing tests. The effect ofextracts against acute inflammation was studied using xylene induced ear edema in mice. Theactivity of the extracts against chronic inflammation was assessed by formalin-induced edema in therat paw. In the hot plate tests, intraperitoneal injection of both extracts showed no significantantinociceptive activity in mice. The extracts exhibited antinociceptive activity against acetic acidinduced writhing. Naloxone partially blocked only the antinociceptive activity of the stigma aqueousextract. Only the stigma extracts showed weak to moderate effect against acute inflammation. Inchronic inflammation, both aqueous and ethanolic stigma extracts, as well as ethanolic petal extract,exerted anti-inflammatory effects.