Abstract

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF PITTOSPORUM FLORIBUNDUM WT. &ARN.

N. Yasodamma*, K. Naga Malleswari and D. Chaithra

ABSTRACT

Due to several side effects of steroidal and non steroidal anti- inflammatory agents of present day drugs evoked us to search for new- anti-inflammatory herbal sources with minimum side effects of structurally novel compounds and drugs. The present herbal medicinal plant Pittosporum floribundum (Pittosporaceae) bark has been used by the local herbalists as a narcotic drug against febrifuge chronic bronchitis acts as expectorant and to cure asthma. Acute toxicity effects and mortality was noticed 1834.6 mg/kg b.wt as LD50 values with methanol and alcohol bark extracts and 1337.5 mg/ kg. b.wt with aqueous extracts of a single dose after 24 hrs of observation. Sub acute toxicity with daily dosages at 25, 50, 75 mg/ kg b.wt upto 28days with aqueous, methanol and alcohol extracts observed without any toxic effects. Stem bark extracts showed sedative effect after 30 minutes of treatment with alcohol, methanol and aqueous extracts at all doses and persists for 3.28 to 20.38 minutes. In acute toxicity studies from 600-2300 mg/kg b.wt sleep and sedation persists for 45 min as observed by Miller and Tainter method. Anti inflammatory activity with methanol bark extracts at 25 mg/ kg. b.wt after 5 hrs of treatment was noticed more effective and also equal to that of standard drug Diclofenac by 52% inhibition of inflammation was noticed by Winter method. Hence the bark methanol extracts may be recommended for the isolation of bioactive flavonoid components to design anti-inflammatory drugs against chronic bronchial disorders.

Keywords: Steroidal, chronic bronchitis, diclofenac, LD50, sub acute, flavonoid.