EFFECT OF LYOPHILIZED JUICE OF PUNICA GRANATUM L. IN ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND INFLAMMATORY PAIN

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the analgesic activity of lyophilized juice of Punica granatum L., obtained from Hidalgo, Mexico, in theformalin test.Methods: We extracted the juice manually, filtered it and then dried down in a lyophilizer machine. We evaluated the antinociceptive effect oflyophilized juice from pomegranate in the formalin test (2%) in male Wistar rats (180–200 g body weight). Thirty minutes before the test, a dose of316 mg/kg (lyophilized juice) and acetylsalicylic acid as reference drug (100 mg/kg) both were administered intragastrically (i.g.).Results: The oral administration of lyophilized juice of pomegranate showed a significant decrease in the number of flinches in the temporal courseand a significant antinociceptive effect in nociceptive and inflammatory pain compared with the vehicle. In the same way, this effect appeared with thedrug of reference (acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/kg i.g). Furthermore, it was shown that juice had a 34% of antinociception on overall effect versus vehicle.Conclusion: The results suggest that lyophilized juice of pomegranate has antinociceptive effect in nociceptive and inflammatory pain. Therefore, thisstudy supports the possible use of this lyophilized juice of pomegranate in the treatment of pain.