IN-VIVO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EFFECT OF AQUEOUS AND ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SIDA RHOMBIFOLIA L. ROOT

Inflammation plays an imperative role in pathophysiology of various diseases. Sida rhombifolia L. (Malvaceae), commonly known as Atibala is traditionally used for numerous medicinal purposes in India. The present study was carried out to demonstrate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Sida rhombifolia L. root using Wistar rats by carrageenan induced acute inflammatory paw edema method. Preliminary phytochemical screening and acute toxicity test were performed for aqueous and ethanolic extracts. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Sida rhombifolia L. root at the dose rate of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight were evaluated for anti-inflammatory property. Indomethacin at the rate of 5 mg/kg body weight was employed as reference drug. Phytochemical screening of aqueous and ethanolic extracts revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins and glycoside. Ethanolic extract was also indicated for the presence of steroids, alkaloids and terpenes. Acute toxicity testing upto 2000 mg/kg body weight did not show any toxicity in rats. Sida rhombifolia L. root extract produced significant (P<0.05) and a dose dependent anti-inflammatory activity. The time dependent inhibition of oedema was observed starting from 2 hours. The ethanolic extract produced most effective inhibition of edema. Our findings revealed that Sida rhombifolia L. root extract contribute to the reduction of the inflammatory response which validates the use of the extract in traditional medicine for treating inflammatory conditions