Abstract Background: For long time medical scientists have speculated about alleviation of pain so that they have attempted to prescribe a potent analgesic with the least side effects. There are some records in Iranian traditional medicine showing that Elaeagnus angustifolia L. decreases inflammation and pain. Therefore, in this study the analgesic effect of the aqueous extracts of E. angustifolia leaves was evaluated on male rats. Materials and methods: The analgesic effect of the extract was studied using formalin test on 35 male rats. Decoction extracts of the leaves with 25, 50, 100 (mg/kgw/ip) concentration were prepared and used. The reaction of the extracts against pain were assessed in comparison to a routine non-steroid anti–inflammatory and pain drug (Diclofenac 5 mg/kgw/hp). Results: The extract had a significant and dose-dependent analgesic effect on both pain phases that were induced by formalin and it was more potent than the effect of Diclofenac. Conclusion: The extract of E. angustifolia leaves has the optimal reaction against pain and this effect is produced peripherally and centrally. The E. angustifolia leaves contain flavonoids and terpenoids and the analgesic effect of extract is probably from the anti– inflammatory reactions of these materials.

Keywords: Elaeagnus angustifolia, Pain, Formalin test

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