Carum carvi and Ormenis multicaulis extracts. Chemical analysis and in vivo experiments to evaluate the synergistic analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of combination of Ormenis multicaulis dry flowermethanolic extracts and Carum carvi seed methanolic extracts on pain and inflammation, compared to their use separately. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of methanolic extracts showed the presence of phenolic compounds. Extracts of the two plant samples showed antioxidant properties demonstrated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity scavenging and ferric reducing antioxidant abilities, significantly higher than controls (quercetin and butylated hydroxyanisole [BHT]). During the pharmacological study, the extracts from a mixture of 50% of each plant sample were orally administered to mice animals and analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were registered. The evaluation of the analgesic activity showed a synergistic effect of the mixture from the two plant extracts, compared to each plant extract applied alone or to the control. Peripheral analgesic effect was demonstrated, and dual (central and peripheral) analgesic effect was confirmed by inhibition of pain in the last phase of the formalin test. Moreover, methanolic extracts of O. multicaulis and C. carvi, when applied either alone or in combination, showed significant anti-inflammatory. Synergistic effects of the two methanolic extracts could represent a promising potential alternative medicine for the treatment of inflammation and pain.