Abstract

Anti-inflammatory activity of Erythrina indica Linn. leaves

Author(s): S.Jayakumari, V.Ravichandiran, J.Karthik, N.Deepa, J.Anbu, A.Vijayalakshmi

Erythrina indica Linn. Commonly known as “kalyana murukku” in Tamil belongs to the family Fabaceae. The plant is a reputed remedy for inflammatory, sedative, helminthiasis and hyperlipidemic. The leaves of Erythrina indica Linn. are used as sedative, in pain, inflammation, for round, tape or thread worm infestation and cathartic. In the present study the leaves of Erythrina indica Linn. was extracted with chloroform and water. The extracts were vacuumdried to yield respective chloroform(CE) and aqueous extract (AE). Both CE and AE were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity by acute and chronic model at two dose levels (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg). Significant anti-inflammatory activity was observed by the test extracts.Among the tested extracts, chloroform extract (CE) was found to exhibit higher anti-inflammatory activity as that of standard indomethacin at 10 mg/kg dose level. The present study supports the claims of Erythrina indica mentioned in the Indian system of medicine.