EVALUATION OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC AND ETHYLACETOACETATE EXTRACTS OF SWEET CHERRY

Monica Chopra, M. Nagamani*, Rinku Kumari and K. Sreelatha

ABSTRACT

Inflammation is a process that is accompanied by the local liberation of chemical mediators like histamine, 5-hydroxy tryptamine, bradykinin and eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are extremely potent compounds involved in most types of inflammation and are formed in almost tissue in the body, thus, inhibition of their biosynthesis is the mainstay of anti-inflammatory therapy for example corticosteroids inhibit the formation of arachidonic acid (AA), the starting compound of eicosanoids. Normally AA is further metabolized by the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) to a group of compounds called prostaglandins (PGS). It has been shown that PGE2 and PGI2 cause erythema and increase local blood flow and PGE2 and PG2α cause intense local pain when given i. m, s. c and PGE1 causes itching and finally PGE2 is associated with production of fever. Inhibition of COX by NSAIDS prevents formation of PGS and brings about its therapeutic actions. However, two things must be kept in mind while dealing with NSAIDS: a). In general, these drugs only offer symptomatic relief without affecting the underlying disease and appropriate drugs need to be given simultaneously to correct the pathological state e. g appropriate antibiotic in a febrile patent and ( b) by virtue of its COX inhibiting property the use of these drugs also leads to the manifestation of certain common adverse effects, which may actually limit the use of an NSAID e. g aspirin and gastric ulceration. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts like ethanolic and ethylacetoacetate extracts of sweet cherry by in vivo method. Anti-inflammatory activity of both extracts (EEC and EAAEC) was evaluated by carrageen an induced paw edema method. The activity was studied at a 200 mg/kg b. w. p. o. and their responses were measured at 30, 60, 120 and 180 min. The present experimental data displayed that both extracts exhibited mild to good anti-inflammatory activity. Graded dose response was also observed. Both the extracts exhibited highest activity at 120 min. When compared with standard drug diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg i. p) the percent protection of EAAEC was found to be 68.9% and EEC was found to be 68.5%.

Keywords: Inflammation, prostaglandins, eicosanoids, carrageen and percent protection etc.