A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO EVALUATE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC ACTIVITY OF COMMONLY USED PROTEOLYTIC ENZYMES AND THEIR COMBINATION WITH DICLOFENAC IN RATS

Introduction: Proteolytic enzymes like serratiopeptidase, trypsin and chymotrypsin are used for prolonged period for edema resolution in post-operative patients, arthritis, tooth extraction etc. either alone or with other anti-inflammatory agent. Various trials have supported and refused the role of enzymes as anti-inflammatory agents. No study was found for analgesic property of proteolytic enzymes. Aims: This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of these three proteolytic enzymes alone and in combination with diclofenac at therapeutic doses. Methods and Material: Carrageenan induced paw edema was used for acute inflammation. Edema was measured with the help of plethysmometer at 0 hour and 3 hour. Modified formalin test was used to evaluate the analgesic property. 1% formalin was injected into the forepaw and scoring was done by appropriate and standard method. Statistical Analysis: Edema changes of hind paw and licking duration in seconds of a fore paw with different treatments were compared with one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison test with the help of graph pad instat software. Result: Reduction in edema was significant (p<0.05) with proteolytic enzymes alone as well as in combination with diclofenac. Neither phase of formalin test was reduced significantly by proteolytic enzymes alone although second phase was reduced significantly when combined with diclofenac. Conclusion: Serratiopeptidase, trypsin and chymotrypsin has significant anti-inflammatory activity alone as well as in combination with diclofenac. These proteolytic enzymes do not have any analgesic activity but they potentiate the peripheral analgesic activity of diclofenac at therapeutic equivalent doses