Abstract
Objective: Knema attenuata (Myristicaceae), popularly known as “wild nutmeg,” is an endemic tree species from Western Ghats, which has been used in folk medicine. Conventionally, the stem bark of K. attenuata is used for treating inflammatory conditions without any scientific information available for the same. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic stem bark extract (ESBE) of K. attenuata using in vivo and in vitro screening models.
 Methods: The ethanolic extract of stem bark was prepared by soxhlation, and its cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cell line was assessed using MTT assay method. In vivo anti-inflammatory effect of extract was estimated in rats using carrageenan-induced paw edema model and cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of the extract was evaluated by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibition assay, estimation of myeloperoxidase activity, and determination of cellular nitrite levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
 Results: Toxic symptoms were not observed for the ESBE. The extract demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity in both in vivo and in vitro models. The anti-inflammatory action exhibited by the extract was a result of the inhibition of leukocyte migration and nitric oxide pathway and partially by inhibition of mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
 Conclusion: Findings from the study provide the evidence for the popular use of stem bark extract of K. attenuata as a potential anti-inflammatory agent.
Highlights
Inflammation is a protective biological response of body toward tissue injury or infection
In vivo pharmacological activity Carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats Carrageenan-induced paw edema is a model for evaluating acute antiinflammatory activity
Treatment with ethanolic stem bark extract (ESBE) (250 and 500 mg/kg p.o) 1 h before carrageenan administration resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in paw edema providing the maximum effect (60.83%) at the dose of 500 mg/kg
Summary
Inflammation is a protective biological response of body toward tissue injury or infection. Inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins, histamine, lysosomal enzymes, leukotrienes, bradykinin, and cytokines amplify the inflammatory response to remove the harmful stimuli [1]. The usage of synthetic drugs dominates the medicinal market for treating inflammatory conditions. Their prolonged administration may provoke adverse effects such as gastric irritation and cardiac complications [6,7]. This initiates the need for searching an efficient and safe complimentary medicine. The bioactive compounds isolated from medicinal plants that exhibit potent antiinflammatory activity can be one of the reliable sources that serve the purpose [8]
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