EVALUATION OF ANTI–INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF MICROCOSMUS EXASPERATUS

Magil Inbaraj Delighta Mano Joyce*, Vaidyanathapuram Kesavan Meenakshi*, Manuelraj Paripooranaselvi and Sudalaimuthu Gomathy

ABSTRACT

Marine organisms have long been a source for the discovery of new drugs because of their vast occurrence. The present study aims at investigating the anti-inflammatory activity of simple ascidian Microcosmus exasperatus by using carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma in Wistar albino rats. Groups administered with the extract showed a dose dependent percentage reduction in paw volume as early as the first hour of experiment and more or less equal to the standard drug treated group at the end of the experimental duration. A highly significant and significant percentage reduction in the wet weight of granuloma was recorded in groups II and V. Dry weight of granuloma in extract treated and standard drug received group showed highly significant percentage reduction. No marked changes were noted in serum albumin. A significant reduction in the percentage of lipid peroxide was observed in the highest dose treated group. In groups IV and V serum acid phosphatase was brought back to normal similar to that of group II. A dose dependent decrease in the level of GGTP and ALP was observed in the extract treated groups. The results on anti-inflammatory activity obtained in the present study are indicative of the presence of certain phytochemicals in the extract.

Keywords: Microcosmus exasperatus, indomethacin, carrageenan, cotton pellet.