Abstract

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA LEAVES ON ACUTE AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATION IN RATS

D. Anusha* and V. Manjusha

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of methanolic extract of P. guajava (MEPG) leaves on acute and chronic inflammation in rats using carrageenaninduced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma models respectively. Methods: a) Acute inflammation (Carrageenan induced rat paw oedema): Adult male and female Albino rats were divided into four groups where Group-I, II,III and IV served as control, test groups (MEPG at a dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg p.o) and standard (diclofenac (10 mg/kg, i.p)) respectively. All the rats were treated with 1 % (w/v) of carrageenan in the right hind paw. The paw volume was measured at frequent intervals and the percentage of inhibition was calculated. b) Chronic inflammation (Cotton pellet implantation): Sterile cotton pellets (10 mg) were implanted s.c. in rats under light ether anasethesia. Adult male and female Albino rats were divided into four groups where Group-I, II, III and IV served as control, test groups (MEPG at a dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg p.o) and standard (phenylbutazone (100 mg/kg)) respectively. At the end of study cotton pellets along with the granulomatous tissue were weighed and percentage increase in weight of cotton pellet was calculated. Results: In this study, treatment with MEPG significantly decreased the paw edema and weight of the cotton pellet with granuloma in rats compared to control group. Conclusion: MEPG was found to exhibit protective effect in both the acute and chronic models of inflammation.

Keywords: Inflammation, Psidium guajava leaves, Anti inflammatory agents, carrageenan-induced paw edema, cotton pellet induced granuloma, MEPG.