ANALGESIC AND ANTI‐INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES OF LIVER OILS OF FOUR SHARK SPECIES FROM INDIAN EEZ

The analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of liver oils of four different sharks, namely Neohariotta raleighana, Centrosymnus crepidater, Apristurus indicus and Centrophorus scalpratus, captured from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean were evaluated. While the analgesic property was determined using the acetic acid-induced mouse writhings and hot-plate reaction time, the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using the formalin-induced rat-paw edema. The oils examined were found to possess significant (P < 0.05) analgesic activity against acetic acid-induced writh- ings and hot-plate reaction in mice. In the formalin-induced edema, a sig- nificant (P < 0.05) inhibition of inflammation was observed between the 2nd and 4th hour showing 58-65% inhibition. These results suggest that liver oils of sharks from Indian waters are effective as analgesic and anti- inflammatory agents. The role of lipid components (squalene, alkylglycerols and polyunsaturated fatty acids) on anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties is highlighted. Inhibition of the synthesis of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators which probably account for the properties is discussed.