Pharmacological Evaluation of Xanthoxylum oxyphyllum Edgew Extract with Special Reference to Anti-inflammatory Activity

Inflammation is a localized physical condition, the immune reaction of the body tissues towards the harmful stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells or irritants. Steroids and some other drugs have been used to alleviate inflammation but its regular use has been discouraged by the practitioners. The use of this plant in NE India is diverse but few pharmacological studies have been carried out to evaluate its anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, the present study is undertaken to evaluate the anti-inflammatory properties of Xanthoxylum oxyphyllum. For evaluation of anti-inflammatory properties of the ethanolic extract of X. oxyphyllum, carrageenan induced rat paw edema model was used. Three doses of the extract showed significant reduction of paw edema in the later stages of carrageenan induced inflammation. Medium dose @30 mg/kg has shown maximum inhibition of paw volume edema. This might be due to inhibition of synthesis and/or release of inflammatory mediators in the late phase of inflammation. The ethanolic leaf extract of Xanthoxylum oxyphyllum, was evidenced to possesses anti-inflammatory properties but however, better activity was seen with medium dose @ 30 mg/kg body weight in both carrageenan induced paw edema model and Adjuvant Induced Arthritis model.