Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF AN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF THE SEEDS OF ENSETE SUPERBUM ROXB.

Vidula Salvi*, Siddhesh Mungekar, Vaibhavi Garge, Yadunath Joshi, Vilasrao Kadam

ABSTRACT

The intention of the present study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory activity of an ethanolic extract of seeds of the plant Ensete superbum Roxb. (E.S.); belonging to the family Musaceae. Traditionally, Ensete superbum is used in psychotic disorders, diabetes mellitus, stomach pain, dysuria and leucorrhoea. On phytochemical evaluation it was found that the plant contains glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenols and tannins. As per World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for Quality Standardised Herbs and Herbal Formulation; determination of various physico-chemical parameters like foreign matter, moisture content, total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive value and water soluble extractive value were performed. The extraction was carried out with Soxhlet apparatus, using ethanol. The animals used for study were female Sprague Dawley rats with 120-140 grams of body weight and further divided in four groups of six animals each. Group I was of control (vehicle), Group II of (E.S. 250 mg/kg), Group III of (E.S. 500 mg/ kg) and Group IV of standard (Indomethacin 10mg/kg). The investigation of Ensete superbum as anti-inflammatory drug was performed using phlogistic agent (Carrageenean) induced paw edema. 0.1 ml of 0.1% of carrageenean was injected in sub-plantar region of right paw of the rat and paw volume was measured at a specific time interval after treatment. At both the doses of an ethanolic extract of the seeds of Ensete superbum showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity when compared to the standard and control groups.

Keywords: Ensete superbum, anti-inflammatory, carageenean, ethanolic.