Evaluation of Anti –Inflammatory Activity of Eclipta alba in rats

The anti-inflammatory effect of the plant of Eclipta alba (Family - Asteraceae) was evaluated using carrageenin, mediators such as histamine and serotonin induced paw oedema, and cotton pellet induced granuloma tests for their effect on acute and chronic phase inflammation models in rats. Maximum inhibition (55.85%) was noted at the dose of 500 mg/kg after 3 hr of drug treatment in carrageenin induced paw oedema, whereas the Indomethacin (standard drug ) produced 61.30% of inhibition. In the chronic model (cotton pellet induced granuloma) the CEEA and standard drug showed decreased formation of granuloma tissue by 49.7,41.5,22.1% and 53.48 % respectively. The results indicate the potent anti-inflammatory effect and therapeutic efficacy of Eclipta alba extract on animal models, which is compared with Indomethacin.