Activity Guided Isolation Of Anti-Inflammatory Compound/Fraction From Root Of Ricinus communis Linn

In Indian system of medicines, root of Ricinus communis Linn. is used to treat inflammation and liver disorders. In present study, the ME of root was prepared by soxhlet method. ME was fractionated into four fractions; explicitly, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and remaining aqueous fraction. The n-butanol fraction, having showed significant inhibition of inflammation, was subjected to fractionation through successive column chromatography on silica gel. For the activity assessment, each fraction or sub-fraction was submitted to bioassay system i.e. carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model for anti-inflammatory activity. Purification of n-butanol fraction gave two active pure compounds (ricinine and quercetin) and one active impure fraction (SbFr.5). This study showed for the first time that ricinine (20mg/kg) reduced significant (p<0.05) carrageenan induced inflammation. Dose dependent significant (p<0.05) inhibition of paw edema was observed with SbFr.5 (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg). SbFr-5 was found to be more potent than standard drug used. This study showed that ricinine, quercetin and SbFr.5 are responsible for anti-inflammatory activity of Ricinus communis roots. However, further purification of sub-fraction 5 is needed which may lead to discovery of novel anti-inflammatory compound.