The triterpenoid fraction from Trichosanthes dioica root suppresses experimentally induced inflammatory ascites in rats

Abstract

Context. Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), called pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber found wild throughout the plains of the Indian subcontinent and traditionally used in India for several medicinal purposes. Objective: The present study evaluated the protective effect of the triterpenoid enriched fraction from T. dioica root (CETD) against experimentally induced acute inflammatory ascites in Wistar albino rats. Materials and methods: The CETD was administered orally at the different doses (25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight) to overnight fasted rats, and then ascites was induced by intraperitoneal administration of formalin solution. After 7h, the rats were sacrificed and the volume of ascitic fluid was measured. Results: The CETD demonstrated significant (p<0.01) reduction of ascitic fluid formation in a dose-dependent manner as compared with control. Conclusion: The CETD produced significant and dose-dependent inhibition of experimentally induced inflammatory ascites in Wistar albino rats. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.