Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Leaf Extracts of Hibiscus Populnea Linn.

Author(s)

Hareeshbabu, E., Mathew, M.

Author's Affiliation

Abstract

Hibiscus populnea or Indian Tulip Tree or Pacific Rosewood, has been traditionally used for the treatment of many diseases including inflammatory conditions. A number of chemical constituents namely, thespesin, gossypol, DL-gossypol, populnin, populneol, glycosides of quercetin, epoxylic acid, rutin, kaemferol-3-flucoside, lupenone, mansonone, myricyl alcohol, lipids and β sitosterol have been isolated from the plant. Many of these compounds are proved to have the claimed activities. But no work has been specifically carried out to establish the anti inflammatory effects of the ripe and older leaves. Hence in the present study an attempt was made, with the leaves, for the phytochemical screening of the methanol, pet. ether and aqueous extracts along with their anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential also. In order to study the anti-inflammatory effects, dextran-induced paw edema method and carrageenan - induced paw edema methods were used.  Similarly analgesic activity was tested using acetic acid writhing. Anti arthritic study was also tried. Regarding carrageenan- induced paw edema, the level of activity of the petroleum ether extract was less than that of the reference drug and the methanolic extract exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity. But the activity of the aqueous extract was more than that of Indomethacin. From the results of the experimentally induced arthritic study it was seen that the activity of the petroleum ether extract was quite stable throughout the period of assay where as the methanolic extract was proved to be more active against the chronic phase than against the acute phase. The aqueous extract was seen to be a very potent anti inflammatory agent against both phases of the inflammatory process with more or less the same activity as that of indomethacin, the reference standard. The analgesic activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts were found to be very significant (P < 0.001).

Keywords

Hibiscus populnea, acute toxicity, antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, nociceptive effect

Cite This Article

Hareeshbabu, E., & Mathew, M. (2013). Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Leaf Extracts of Hibiscus Populnea Linn. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 2(3), 174-182.