Analgesic Activity of Ascorbic Acid Verses Acetylsalicylic Acid

This study was designed to explore antinociceptive potential of ascorbic acid using three different popular models of nociception. These models included tail flick method, hot plate method and writhing test. Ascorbic acid was administered orally at the dose of 300 mg per kg per oral and antinociceptive potential was noted at different time intervals using three models. Effects of ascorbic acid were also compared with standard drug acetylsalicylic acid. Results revealed that ascorbic acid has significant antinocicpetive effect in all three models showing potent analgesic potential of ascorbic acid. Increase in latency to withdraw tail in tail flick method showed that ascorbic has a central antinociception mechanism. Time to jump off from the hot plate was significantly increased that also suggest ascorbic acid’s central mechanism of action. Moreover, highly significant decrease in number of writhes by ascorbic acid suggests action of ascorbic acid by inhibition of COX-II. Therefore, ascorbic acid can be suggested as a potential agent in managing different pain conditions.