Evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and toxicity studies of methanolic extract of Rumex vesicarius Linn

Abstract

Rumex vesicarius L. belongs to the family polygonaceae and is popularly known as “bladder dock”. It is a green vegetable traditionally used as an important plant to cure many diseases. In the present study the methanol extract of Rumex vesicarius L. was evaluated for its toxicity and potential in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The extract at different concentration from 100 to 2000 mg/kg bw was used to evaluate the toxicity on albino rat. For evaluating the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan induced edema test in rats were done at the dose 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw. The biochemical, hematological and histopathological studies were also estimated as supportive studies. Effect of methanol extract on protein denaturation and HRBC membrane were estimated to detect invitro anti-inflammatory activity. Acute toxicity and short term toxicity studies revealed that the methanol extract of Rumex vesicarius L. is nontoxic at the studied concentration. The appropriate dose range for preclinical study was found to be 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw. Oral administration of the extract at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw exhibited dose dependent and significant anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced edema rats. The hematological and biochemical parameters were found normal. Invitro anti-inflammatory studies showed dose dependent activity with the IC50 value of 476.06 μg/ml and 491.355 μg/ml for inhibition of protein denaturation and stabilization of HRBC membrane respectively. Hence present investigation established some pharmacological evidences to support the folklore claim that Rumex vesicarius L. is used as anti-inflammatory agent.