Anti-inflammatory and Anti-ulcer Effects of Calotropis gigantea R.Br Flowers in Rodent

Objective: To evaluate the chloroform extract of Calotropis gigantea flowers (CCGF) and ethanol extract of Calotropis gigantea flowers (ECGF) for their possible anti-inflammatory (AI) and anti-ulcer (AU) activities. Method: The anti-inflammatory effect of CCGF and ECGF (200mg/kg; p.o.) was investigated in carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma model. The AU activity studied in pylorus ligation and aspirin induced gastric ulcers model. The aspirin and ranitidine were used as standards for AI and AU studies respectively. Results: The CCGF and ECGF significantly reduced rat paw edema (p > 0.05 to > 0.01) and dry weight granuloma (p > 0.01). Similarly, both extracts treated group were significantly (p > 0.01) protected from pyloric ligation and aspirin induced gastric ulcers. These effects were statistically significant. Conclusion: The results suggest that the CCGF and ECGF possess significant AI and AU activities. The observed effect may be due to the presence of protease like bioactive constituent.