Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Clerodendron infortunatum Linn. Extract in Rats

Inflammation is a response of vascularized living tissue to the local injury. The severe side effects of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs evoked us to search for new anti-inflammatory drugs from the indigenous source. The methanol extract of leaves of Clerodendron infortunatum Linn. (MECI) was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity against the carrageenan, histamine and dextran induced rat paw edema. The methanol extract (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) exhibited significant activity (p< 0.01) against all phlogistic agent used in dose dependant manner. All these effects were compared with reference drug phynylbutazone.