Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of mangiferin gel for musculoskeletal injuries in cancer patients.

Musculoskeletal injuries, a global public health concern, are among the most significant causes of long-lasting disability and meager performance in activities of daily living (ADLs). Mangiferin (5%) was used to formulate a gel, extracted from aqueous-methanolic (30:70) extracts of M. indica leaf. Participants (n = 200) diagnosed with musculoskeletal injuries were separated into four groups (n = 50/group). Group I and II received phonophoresis with 5% mangiferin gel and 1% diclofenac gel, respectively, while Group III and IV received superficial massage with the same gels. Color, stability test, pH, spreadability test, pain, onset of pain relief, stiffness, ADLs were evaluated through the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Global Pain Relief Scale (GPRS), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) Scale. NPRS was relieved in Group-I, while WOMAC was also reduced in Group-I, along with ADLs and stiffness measures; this improvement was greater than that in Group-II for all measures. Also, the NPRS of Group III was reduced along with WOMAC and ADLs scores and stiffness, more effectively that the same measures in Group IV. Mangiferin gel 5% has been proven more effective than diclofenac diethyl-ammonium gel 1% in treating human musculoskeletal injuries. Phonophoresis enhanced the effect of both gels, strongly suggesting that the topical application of mangiferin gel combined with phonophoresis could be a valuable therapeutic alternative to reduce inflammation and relieve pain significantly. The formulation of mangiferin gel is nature-based, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and prepared easily.