In Vitro Therapeutic Potential of Leaf Extract of <i>Eugenia uniflora linn</i> on Acute – inflammation Rat Model

Abstract

The leaves of Eugenia uniflora are used as anti-inflammatory and analgesic in the treatment of tissue injury in traditional medicine. The study evaluates the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hematological and histological effects of ethanol extract of E. uniflora. The anti-inflammatory effect was accessed in test groups given different doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p. o) of the extract, a control group (0.1 mL/kg, normal saline) and standard drug group (Ibuprofen 100mg/kg, p. o) on formalin- induced paw edema. Body weight, paw weight, thickness and volume were evaluated. Analgesic property was accessed on separate group of animals by acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced paw licking tests. Thereafter, hematological parameters were estimated and sections of the edematous skin were processed and stained with H and E. The Eugenia uniflora decreased paw volume and thickness after 3hr. There was dose dependent significant (P<0.05) decrease in the number of abdominal writhing and insignificant reduction in the second or late phases of formalin-induced paw licking test group. Reduction in RBC, HB, PCV and increase in platelet, ESR, WBC were observed in the formalin-induced paw edema group. Histopathological assessment revealed aggregation of inflammatory cells in skin sections of the untreated group of the formalin-induced paw edema but a noticeable reversal in the extract and Ibuprofen treatment groups. These profiles indicate E. uniflora has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects comparable to Ibuprofen a non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and justifies it use in the treatment of inflammation and local tissue injury.