Abstract

THE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF OCIMMUM SANCTUM LEAVES AND FLOWERS ON RATS

Sagir Ahmad*, Md. Quamuddin and Somnath Kharwar

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Abstract

We investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of freshly aqueous extract of Ocimum Sanctum leaves and flowers in carrageenan induced acute inflammation and formalin induced chronic inflammation. Oral administration of freshly prepared aqueous extract of Ocimum Sanctum to each animal was given to carrageenan induced acute inflammation until four hours. After the carrageenan administration at dose of Ocimum Sanctum 200 mg/kg/hr. and 400 mg/kg/hr. Treating with these aqueous extract of Ocimum Sanctum significantly reduces the acute inflammation in rats. In chronic inflammation in rat the oral administration of the aqueous extract of Ocimum Sanctum to each animal was given to formalin induces chronic inflammation until 10 days. After formalin administration the linear cross section of ankle joint was measured by using vernier calliper and the percentage anti inflammation was calculated. The higher dose 400mg/kg/hr. and 400mg/kg/day of aqueous extract of Ocimum Sanctum therapy works better than that of lower dose (200mg/kg/hr. and 200mg/kg/day) against acute inflammation and chronic inflammation induced by carrageenan and formalin respectively. Therefor the use of the aqueous extract of this plant leaves and flower as anti-inflammatory is justified. Aspirin (300/kg/day) is a NSAID. It used as standard drug and maintain the inflammation level in rats.

Keywords: Ocimum Sanctum, Carrageenan, Formalin, Acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.