Anti-inflammatory activity of root of Alpinia galanga willd

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to evaluate the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activities of root extract of Alpinia g alang a in rodents. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out using albino rats of either sex (150-200 g). An extract of the root of A . g a was prepared using absolute alcohol and distillation in a Soxhlet apparatus. The acute anti-inflammatory effects of this extract were evaluated using carrageenan-, alang bradykinin-, and 5-HT-induced rat paw edema. The chronic anti-inflammatory effects were evaluated using formaldehyde-induced rat paw edema. Results and Analysis: Inhibition of inflammation was seen to be 32.22% in carrageenan-induced, 37.70% in 5-HT-induced, and 35.21% in bradykinin-induced anti-inflammatory models. In chronic inflammatory model, a progressive inhibition of 34.73% (3rd day), 37.50% (5th day), 38.83% (7th day), 44.66% (9th day), 49.59% (11th day), and 55.75% (13th day) was observed with study compound. The efficacy was comparable with the standard drugs. Conclusion: It can be thus concluded that A . g alang a has anti-inflammatory properties and probably acts by blocking histaminic and serotonin pathways. It may be an effective alternative to NASAIDs and corticosteroid in inflammatory disorders