Hypoglycemic, Antitussive and Analgesic Effects of Nanoparticles of Cordia myxa Fruits Extract

Background: Cordia myxa is a plant from Boraginaceae family and has many useful therapeutic properties. Aim of the study is to compare the pharmacological efficacy of Cordia myxa hydro-alcoholic extract (Bulk Extract [BE]) and nanoparticles of hydro-alcoholic extract (NPE) including hypoglycemic, antitussive, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Methods: Hydro-alcoholic maceration extract of dry fruits was powdered to nanoparticle size by ball-milling technique. Hyperglycemia and cough were induced in mice by alloxan (120 mg/kg, i.p.) and ammonia, respectively. Inflammatory and analgesic evaluations of extracts were carried out with the formalin-induced edema in the mice paw and acetic acid tests. NPE and BE were administrated at single dose (750 mg/kg, i.p.). Positive control group was received dextromethorphan (10 mg/kg, orally) in cough and indomethacin (25 mg/kg, orally) for analgesic models. Blood glucose level, the number of coughs and writhes and duration of foot lickings were calculated. Results: The blood glucose did not statistically reduce by extracts. Both extracts could significantly inhibit the frequency of cough and dramatically reduce the duration of paw licking. NPE could significantly reduce writhes. Conclusion: We concluded that extracts had no hypoglycemic activity. Both extracts created therapeutic activities better than dextromethorphan. NPE exerted better anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity compared to BE.