Abstract

Anti-inflammatory activity of plant Malvastrum Tricuspidatum was evaluated by in-vivo (carrageenan induced paw edema in rats) method. To evaluate anti-inflammatory activity; rats were divided into four groups each having six rats. Group I served as carrageenan control group and received carrageenan only. Group II received aqueous plant extract (200 mg/kg), Group III received aqueous plant extract (400 mg/kg) and Group IV received Indomethacin (10 mg/kg, p.o). Paw volume was measured using digital Plethysmometer at 1, 2, 3 and 4hr. Percentage inhibition of paw edema of each group were determined. The oral administration of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg of the plant extract significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited inflammatory response induced by carrageenan in rats in a dose related manner. The most prominent inhibition was recorded for 400 mg/kg (45.45%) at 4hr of study while standard indomethacin showed 67.80% at dose of 10 mg/kg. The study shows that plant extract increase % inhibition in paw volume of rats. Plant extract have various phytoconstituents which may be responsible for anti-inflammatory activity but further investigation are required to isolate bioactive compounds to prove anti-inflammatory effect of plant.