ACUTE AND SUBACUTE MODELS OF INFLAMMATION OF NYCTANTHES ARBOR TRISTIS AND MAHARASNADI GHAN

Aqueous Methanolic extracts of Nyctanthes Arbor tristis and Maharasnadi ghan were studied for a  inflammation   parameter using   carrageenin induced hind paw edema   and cotton pellet granuloma . The natural plant was screened for acute toxicity and it did not show any toxic or deleterious effects indicating low toxicity of the extract even at high doses at two different dose levels. In carrageenin induced hind paw edema a  significant reduction in paw volume was observed  as  compared  to  control  group  whereas  in  cotton  pellet  granuloma  model  marked inhibition in granuloma formation, reduction in the elevated levels of serum lysosomal enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, and ALP) and lipid peroxidation was noted as compared to control group. The extracts exhibited profound anti-inflammatory activity in both acute and subacute animal models warranting further  investigations to establish its anti-inflammatory potential. The activity was thought  due  to  flavonoids  which  might  be  present  in  the  formulation  which  could  play  a significant role in preventing the release of histamine, leukotreins and prostaglandins. In future the extract needs to be studied for cellular line models of inflammation