Antiinflammatory Activity of Adenanthera pavonina Linn. Leaves

Antiinflammatory activity of Adenanthera pavonina Linn. leaves were evaluated using formalin induced rat paw oedema model for acute inflammation and cotton pellet granuloma model for chronic inflammation. The leaves of the plant was extracted with methanol by cold maceration method. The methanolic extract was fractionated with water. The extract and its aqueous fraction were screened for its anti inflammatory activity at the dose levels of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. Compared with control both showed significant activity against acute and chronic inflammation. Aqueous fraction of methanolic extract significantly inhibit the paw oedema in acute model and granuloma formation in chronic model with respect to the methanolic extract. The results indicates that the antiinfammatory activity of Adenanthera pavonina leaf extract could be through a inhibition of elevated prostaglandin biosynthesis and reduction of proliferative mass inflammed cells.The present results of anti inflammatory activity supports the folklore claim of Adenanthera pavonina leaves.