Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Abstract

Medicinal herbs are the local heritage with global importance. World is endowed with a rich wealth of medicinal herbs. The different variety of plants with different therapeutic properties is quiet astonishing. Jatropha gossypifolia Linn (Euphorbiaceae) is a large genus of shrubs, herbs and trees distributed in the tropical parts of the world. A decoction of the bark is used as an emmenagogue, that of the leaves for stomach ache, venereal diseases and as blood purifier. The plant has been used ethnomedically to prevent cancerous growth. The plant is very popular in all Maharashtra and Jatropha gossypifolia Linn has suggested in the Indian system of medicine for number of diseases. The plant is known to possess various active agents such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, sterols (phytosterol), tannins, essential and volatile oils. The anti inflammatory activity of the aqueous and dichloromethane extract of the leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia Linn was investigated with experimental animal model using the carrageenan induced rat paw edema method. The extract 200mg/kg at 240min post treatment caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the paw oedema in rats. The effect of the extract was more pronounced at the dose 200mg/kg and was closer to that of ibuprofen 10mg/kg. The finding of the studies indicate that the aqueous extract and dichloromethane extract of leaves of Jatropha gossypifolia Linn had good anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced hind paw edema in rats between 2 to 3 hours.

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