Background: Pain is a common and distressing experience that often leads individuals to seek medical help. While conventional analgesics such as opioids and NSAIDs are widely used, they are not without side effects and limitations. Traditional medicine systems like Siddha offer alternative approaches that may be both effective and safer. Ettikottai Mathirai (EM) is a classical Siddha polyherbal formulation traditionally used to manage pain and inflammation, especially in conditions categorized under Vaatha diseases. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic potential of EM using the Eddy's Hot Plate method in Swiss albino mice. Methods: The experiment included a vehicle control group, a standard group receiving Pentazocine (5 mg/ kg), and two test groups receiving low (8.5 mg/kg) and high (17 mg/kg) doses of EM. The latency time to thermal stimulus was measured at multiple intervals post-treatment. Results: Results showed a dose-dependent increase in reaction time in EM-treated groups, with the high-dose group displaying effects comparable to the standard drug. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EM may act through central pain pathways, possibly enhanced by the synergistic effects of its herbal ingredients known as anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The study supports the traditional use of EM and highlights its potential as a promising alternative for pain relief. Further research, including clinical trials, is recommended to confirm its therapeutic value and safety in human populations.
