Abstract

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE ANALGESIC EFFECT OF IBUPROFEN VS HERBAL FORMULATIONS

Dipesh Kumar Ray*, Rajaram R. Rajbhar*, Mr. Gopal Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Pain is a complex mix of feelings and physical sensations that often leads people to visit a doctor. Although medicines like ibuprofen are commonly used to help with pain, using them for a long time can cause serious problems in the stomach, kidneys, and heart. This study looks into using natural pain relievers as an alternative to ibuprofen, especially for pain after certain types of dental surgeries like taking out a wisdom tooth. The study checks several natural remedies, including curcumin from turmeric, neem, licorice, stinging nettle, and UP446 made from two plants, to see how well they work. It looks at how they affect the body, how effective they are, and if they are safe. The research also focuses on certain chemicals in saliva—like alpha-amylase, MMP-9, and TGF-beta2—as signs of pain, inflammation, and healing. Another plant tested was kale, and its ability to relieve pain was studied along with its ability to fight off harmful substances, itslevels of certain chemicals, and how well it can neutralize harmful free radicals. Tests were done on animals, including using a hot plate and a method that causes swelling in the paw, to compare how long it takes for pain to be felt and how much swelling is reduced in groups treated with ibuprofen and the natural remedies. The results show that some of these natural treatments, especially curcumin and UP446, can relieve pain as well as ibuprofen but with fewer side effects. These plant-based treatments work by blocking certain enzymes, changing how the body responds to inflammation, fighting off harmful substances, and using a process called hormesis. Even though some of these natural treatments may not be as strong or consistent as ibuprofen, they are a promising option in medical settings where long-term use of painkillers can be harmful.

Keywords: Ibuprofen, Herbal analgesics, Curcumin, Neem, Urtica dioica, Pain management, Dentoalveolar surgery, ?-amylase, MMP-9, TGF-?2, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Cyclooxygenase inhibition, Inflammation, Natural alternatives, Salivary biomarkers, Antioxidant activ