In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Tabernaemontana divaricata leaf extract on male albino mice

AimTo study the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of Tabernaemontana divaricata leaf extract on male albino mice.MethodsAqueous decoction and methanol leaf extracts were tested for their ability to reduce croton oil-induced edema in the mouse ear after topical application. The methanol leaf extract dose-dependently inhibited the croton oil-induced ear edema in mice (ID50 <500 μg·cm−2). A bioassay-guided liquid–liquid fractionation of this methanol extract gave four active fractions: water insoluble (F1), hexane (F2), ethyl acetate (F3) and water (F4).ResultsThe hexane fraction showed a very high activity (42.1% inhibition at 0.7 μg·cm−2) as compared to the control. The other fractions were less active (F1: 56.1% at 506.2 μg·cm−2; F3: 57.3% at 289.3 μg·cm−2; and F4: 31.9% for 203.8 μg·cm−2) while indomethacin gave 48.8% of inhibition at 90 μg·cm−2. The activity of F1 and F3 may be at least in part explained by the presence of anti-inflammatory flavonoids, while the activity was not correlated to the tannin contents. No compounds were detected in the most active F2 fraction.ConclusionsThe results give a rational support to the traditional use of T. divaricata in tropical India as anti-inflammatory agent.