Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f.

Abstract

The various extracts of Merremia tridentata were investigated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities in male albino rats. The anti-inflammatory activity was carried out using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model and the anti-arthritic activity was carried out using complete Freund's adjuvant induced arthritis model. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg bw) was used as a standard drug. The ethanol extract of M. tridentata exhibited significant dose dependent activity in acute inflammation and the doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw produced 38.3% and 42.8% inhibition respectively after 3 h as compared with that of the standard drug which showed 48.5% inhibition. In arthritis model, the doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw of the ethanol extract produced 49.0% and 51.7% inhibition respectively after 19 days when compared with that of the standard drug (55.5%). Both doses of the ethanol extract of M. tridentata exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities.