Anti-inflammatory Activity of the Different Parts of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn.

Abstract

It is evident from the literature and previous investigations that Nyctanthes arbortristis possesses antiinflammatory activity. On the basis of these reports, anti-inflammatory study was done on the water soluble fraction of the ethanolic extracts (WSFEE) of its flowers, barks, seeds and leaves at dose levels of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight which were selected from the study of LD50 value of the extracts. The antiinflammatory activity of the extracts was estimated using different inflammatory mediators like carrageenan, arachidonic acid, histamine and serotonin to induce paw oedema in rats. WSFEE of the flowers, seeds and leaves were found to possess anti-inflammatory activity against all the inflammatory mediators in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the barks exhibited activity at 600 mg/kg. From the study conducted it was concluded that the ethanolic extracts of the flowers, seeds, leaves and barks (600 mg/kg) of
N. arbortristis L. might have the potential to inhibit cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism, which may be supplemented by antihistaminic and antiserotonergic property of the extracts.

Keywords:Nyctanthes arbortristis, anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan, arachidonic acid, histamine, serotonin

Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 24 (2) 2006: pp. 125-129