Publication:

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Stephania rotunda in experimental animals

Background The objective of the current study was to analyse the anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of Stephania rotunda in experimental animals.

Methods It was an experimental study conducted in the experimental laboratory with 30 acclimatized healthy albino rats and mice divided into 5 groups namely A, B, C, D, and E fed with the aqueous extract of Stephania rotunda in laboratory conditions to assess the anti-inflammatory property using Carrageenan induced rat paw oedema for acute inflammation, granuloma pouch for sub-acute inflammation and Formaldehyde induced arthritis for chronic inflammation from 17th December 2019 to 22nd January 2021. Aspirin was taken as the standard drug. Data was analysed using Chi-square test.

Results In assessment for acute inflammation, the aqueous extract of Stephania rotunda in the doses of 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg for groups B, C and D respectively produced 17.12%, 17.12% and 18.78% inhibition of paw oedema which was statistically significant when compared to 22.65% inhibition produced by 100mg/kg of the standard drug aspirin in group E. The groups B, C and D with the extract doses of 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 2000mg/kg produced 43%, 60% and 77% inhibitions of exudate formation respectively which statistically was significant as compared to the Standard aspirin of group E which produced 62% inhibition of exudate formation. In chronic inflammation testing, both the extract and standard drugs produced highly significant inhibition of paw oedema when compared to inhibition produced by the Control.

Conclusions The aqueous extract of Stephania rotunda was found to be a potent anti-inflammatory drug when compared with Aspirin. Further tests are required in a larger scale so as to ascertain the effects for human consumption.