“HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins): analgesic and anti-inflammatory evaluation using various animal models

Manisha Varshney, Uma Bhosale, Prachi Pophale

Abstract


There are certain drugs which are known to decrease pain and inflammation. Among them are corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But these provide only symptomatic relief. Many adverse effects are seen with chronic use of these drugs. Therefore, finding a new, reliable and safe analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug is still the need of the hour.1 Statins are known to be one of the best agents for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions of statins have been demonstrated. The most probable mechanism behind their analgesic property includes decreased production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-a, bradykinin, interleukin-1b, IL-6 and IL-8.2 Materials and Methods: Analgesic anti-inflammatory activity of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) was evaluated using Swiss albino mice. Analgesic activity was evaluated using Hot Plate, Acetic acid induced writhing and Haffner’s tail clip methods wherein, Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using Carrageenan-induced left hind paw edema (Plethysmographic method). Results: This study showed that the analgesic potential of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin was comparable to  diclofenac; in hot plate, the tail clip, and in the acetic acid-induced writhing method. The atorvastatin and rosuvastatin had equi-analgesic effect which was significantly higher than that of control (p<0.01) and (p<0.001) respectively; however, diclofenac was found superior in this regard (p<0.01). In the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model (Plethysmographic method), both atorvastatin and rosuvastatin exhibited anti-inflammatory action (p<0.01) and the activity of atorvastatin was comparable to that of diclofenac.Conclusion: Both the statins, rosuvastatin and atorvastatin showed analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory action comparable to diclofenac.

Keywords: Statins, Tail clip, Hot plate method, Plethysmometer

 

Received: 21 May 2025

Accepted: 09 July 2025

Published: 14 August 2025


Keywords


Statins, Tail clip, Hot plate method, Plethysmometer

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References


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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/AMPDR.2025.05.2.1357

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Copyright (c) 2025 Manisha Varshney, Uma Bhosale, Prachi Pophale

Advances in Medical, Pharmaceutical and Dental Research

E-ISSN: 2812-4898

P-ISSN: 2812-488X

 

Published by:

Academy Publishing Center (APC)

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Alexandria, Egypt

ampdr@aast.edu