Comparative study of anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of hibiscus cannabinus leaf (Malvaceae)

Abstract

Objective: The present study was undertaken to investigate and compare the anti-inflammatory activity of an aqueous and methanolic extract of

Hibiscus cannabinus (Malvaceae) using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema.

Methods: Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Hibiscus cannabinus was prepared and tested for anti-inflammatory activity in female spargue dawley

rat weighing 150-180 g. The animals were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 each. First group served as vehicle control, second group served as

standard, third and fourth group served as high (400 mg/kg) and low (200 mg/kg) dose of methanolic extract of Hibiscus cannabinus leaves (MHCL)

respectively and fifth and sixth group as high (400 mg/kg) and low (200 mg/kg) dose of aqueous extract of Hibiscus cannabinus leaves (AHCL)

respectively. The In vivo anti-inflammatory activity was studied using carrageenan induce rat paw edema animal model. The estimation of liver and

blood parameters consist of serum glutamic oxalate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), lipid peroxidation (LPO),

reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Results: Both MHCL and AHCL extracts showed significant (*p<0.05) inhibition of rat paw edema in dose-dependent manner. The maximum percent

inhibition in paw edema was found in MHCL at dose of 400 mg/kg was 52.00% and AHCL at dose of 400 mg/kg was 49.93%. Both MHCL and AHCL

at dose of 400 mg/kg reduce LPO level as 31.10 nmol/g and 35.23 nmol/g respectively when compared with standard indomethacin.

Conclusion: An anti-inflammatory activity was found in both MHCL and AHCL extracts. But the MHCL showed more significant anti-inflammatory activity.