Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activity of Carissa carandas L. leaf extract in rats

Abstract

Carissa carandas L. (Apocynaceae) is a medicinal plant and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of India. The present investigation attempted to find out the anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic potentials of the methanol extract of C. carandas L. leaf. The extract was evaluated for phytochemical screening, which indicated the presence of steroids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and carbohydrates. The anti-inflammatory property was evaluated by using different models like carrageenan, histamine and dextran induced hind paw oedema in Wister Albino rats. The extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight exhibited maximum inhibition of inflammation, i.e. , 72.10 %, 71.90 % and 71.80 % at the end of 3 hour with histamine, dextran and carrageenan induced rat paw oedema respectively. The anti-pyretic activity was evaluated by Brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia in albino rats. The extract at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg p.o., showed the significant reduction in yeast induced elevated temperature in a dose depended manner and the effect also extended up to 4 hours after the drug administration. The results of this study indicated that the methanol extract from leaves of C. carandas L. possess significant anti-inflammatory and anti-pyretic activities in rodent models.