Anti-Inflammatory activity of Erythrina stricta Roxb. in Albino Rats

Objectives: To study the anti-inflammatory activity of Erythrina stricta extract in albino rats. Methods: Leaves of Erythrina stricta (ES) were extracted and subjected to Pharmacological studies. The Extract was screened for anti-inflammatory activity in albino rats using acute carrageenan paw oedema, formalin induced paw oedema and sub acute granuloma pouch model. Results: In acute phase inflammation, a maximum inhibition of 78.79 % ( P < 0.05), and 86.8 % ( P < 0.05) was noted at the dose of 200 mg/kg after 3 hr of treatment with ethanol extract of ES in carrageenan and formalin induced paw oedema respectively. In the sub acute model (cotton pellet induced granuloma) the ethanol extract of ES (200 mg/kg) and standard drug (Indomethacin 10 mg/kg) showed decreased formation of granuloma tissue by 60.05 % ( P < 0.05) and 65.6 % ( P < 0.05), respectively. In ES the dose of 200 mg/kg is found to be more potent and efficacious towards the anti-inflammatory activity when compared with control and the activity is in dose dependent manner. Conclusions: The extract exhibit its anti-inflammatory action by means of inhibiting the synthesis, release or action of inflammatory mediators viz, histamine, serotonin and prostaglandin might be involved in inflammation. From these results, it is suggested that anti oedematogenic effect of the ES on carrageenan and formalin induced oedema might be related to inhibition of inflammation mediator formation. So, our results strongly suggested that the extract of ES leaves showed anti-inflammatory activity in acute and sub acute administration in albino rats.