A study to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Holoptelea integrifolia leaves on acute inflammatory models

Abstract

Background: Inflammation is a local response of living mammalian tissues to injury. It is a body defence reaction in order to eliminate or to limit the spread of injurious agent. This study was intended to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Holoptelea intergifolia leaves. Methods: The anti-inflammatory activity study was carried out by using Carrageenan induced rat paw oedema animal model and turpentine induced arthritis animal model. Wistar rats were divided into six groups of six animals each. Two different doses (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Holoptelea intergifolia leaves were given to the four different test group animals and compared with the standard drug indomethacin (10mg/kg). Results: In the present study both the extract exhibited significant Anti-inflammatory activity. But, ethanolic extract has showed considerabely better values than aqueous extract which supports the traditional medicinal utilization of the plant. Conclusions: Both the aqueous and ethanolic extract of Holoptelea Integrifolia leaves exihibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. But, Ethanolic extract had showed better results. Further studies involving the purification of the chemical constituents of the plant and the investigations in the biochemical pathways may result in the development of a potent anti-inflammatory agent with low toxicity and better therapeutic index.