Experimental Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Potential of Leaves of Antidesma Menasu on Wistar Albino Rats

Arun Prabhakar Sithara; Ravi M; Suma Mallya; Sudhakara; Sridhar Bairy; Srikanth P; Ravishankar

Abstract

International Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Sciences,2013,2,4,105-112.

Published:December 2013

Type:Research Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Arun Prabhakar Sithara¹, Ravi M ²*, Suma Mallya¹, Sudhakara², Sridhar Bairy¹, Srikanth P¹, Ravishankar²

¹Department of Dravyaguna, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Ayurveda, Udupi, India.

²Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, SDM Centre for Research in Ayurveda and Allied Sciences, Udupi, India.

Abstract:

Background: Antidesma menasu is a folk plant of Euphorbiacae occurring in and around Udupi district in India. It is effectively used in folklore medicine for the management of arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorder and low backache. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of the plant in Wistar albino rats. Aqueous extract of leaves of A. menasu were evaluated for possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods:Eddy’s hot plate test and radiant heat test were used for investigation of analgesic effect. Effect of extract on the acute inflammation was investigated on Carrageenan induced paw oedema, and chronic inflammation was investigated on cotton pellet induced granuloma tissue formation test. The test extract was subjected for preliminary phytochemical examination as per standard methodology. Results: The test drug found to inhibit the carrageenan induced paw oedema significantly (p ˂ 0.05) and there was moderate increase in the latency period in the analgesic test. The results suggest that the test group has high signifi-cant anti-inflammatory potential and there is moderate analgesic activity. The histopathological examination of adrenal cortex, spleen and thymus showed a normal cytoarchitecture comparable with that of normal control group. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of the plant A. menasu revealed the presence of flovanoids, saponins, steroids and phenols. Conclusion: The data obtained supports the traditional folklore therapeutic claim about its anti-inflammatory and anal-gesic activity. Further scientific investigation is required to establish its analgesic and anti-inflammatory property in other experimental models and clinical settings.