Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory Activity of Leaves of Eclipta Prostrata Linn. (asteraceae)

Eclipta prostrata Linn. (Asteraceae) popularly known as "Bhringaraj" is a very useful medicinal plant in India. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Eclipta prostrata. The anti-inflammatory effects were investigated by employing acute inflammatory model; Carrageenan induced paw edema and Sub-acute inflammatory model; formalin induced paw edema in rats. The ethanolic extracts at a dose of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight showed significant anti inflammatory activity in both the models in a dose dependent manner. INTRODUCTION: Nature has provided a complete store house of remedies to cure all ailments of mankind. The use of natural products, especially plants, for healing is as ancient and universal as medicine itself. Natural products have been an integral part of the ancient traditional medicine systems, e.g., Chinese, Ayurvedic and Egyptian. Today these symbolize safety in contrast to the synthetics and so traditional systems of medicine continue to be widely practiced all over the world. This has led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments . Pain, inflammation and fever are very common complications in human beings. Inflammation is considered as a primary physiologic defence mechanism that helps body to protect itself against infection, burn, toxic chemicals, allergens or other noxious stimuli . Several plants and their products are claimed and proved to posses anti inflammatory property. Eclipta prostrata (Asteraceae) is one from them. It is a herbaceous annual, 30-50 cm. high . The plant has long been used in the treatment of hernias, eye diseases, "Kapha" and "Vata", bronchitis, asthma, leucoderma, anemia, diseases of the heart and skin, itching, night-blindness, syphilis . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant material: The plant material (leaves) of Eclipta prostrata were collected from healthy plants in PUSA institute (New Delhi) in the month of September 2010. It was dried under shade and then powdered to obtain a coarse powder. This powder was stored in air-tight container and used for further extraction. Preparation of extract: The powder was macerated for 7 days using 850 ml of 95% Ethanol as menstrum. Maceration was repeated, twice (7 days each time) by adding fresh menstrum, equal to the volume of extract obtained. Total extract was combined and concentrated, under vacuum; to get a semi solid consistency . The yield obtained was 8.2 % w/w. Animal model: Wistar strain albino rats of either sex (150-200g) were approved by Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (Regn. No.-585/02/c/CPCSEA in 2011) and procured from Institutional Animal House, Hindu College of Pharmacy, Sonipat. The animals were provided with food (Golden feed) and water ad libitum and maintained at a temperature 22 to 25C.