ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF H1 RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST CETIRIZINE IN ANIMAL MODELS

AIM: The present study was designed to study anti-inflammatory activity of Cetirizine in albino rats and compare with standard drug Diclofenac. MATERIAL & METHODS: 1. Carrageenin induced rat paw edema method (Acute inflammation): 5 animals in each group (3groups) received orally 4% Gum acacia, Diclofenac sodium and Cetirizine respectively one hour before carrageenin injection into right paw. The rat paw edema was measured with plethysmograph after 3 hours and percentage inhibition of edema was calculated in each group. 2. Rexin pellet granuloma method (Chronic inflammation): Four rexin pellets were implanted into dorsum skin of each rat of 3 groups (n = 5), which include control, Diclofenac and Cetirizine respectively. The animals were treated with fixed doses of drugs once a day for 7 days including the day of implantation of pellets and on 8th day rexin pellets were removed after sacrificing animals. Rexin pellets were kept in incubator at 60 degrees C overnight. Pellets were then weighed and percent inhibition of granuloma tissue was calculated. 3. Study of Mast cell counts. RESULT: Cetirizine showed significant anti-inflammatory activity both in acute and chronic animal models. CONCLUSION: Cetirizine may be used as potential drug for both acute and chronic inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory property.