Comparative evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential of ethanolic extract of leaf, bark and flower of tecoma stans with ibuprofen - An in vitro analysis

Abstract

Background: Endodontics has always been indebted to pharmaceutical sciences to provide it with necessary analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents. More specifically, there has always been a need for anti-inflammatory phytotherapeutic agents as the commercially available synthetic anti inflammatory drugs have their own limitations due to undesirable side effects. Hence, novel potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs without considerable side effects from the natural sources are under evaluation. Tecoma stans (Bignoniaceae) is an ornamental plant found throughout India. It has been shown to have variety of medicinal properties. In the present study, we have shown that potential anti inflammatory activity of different parts of Tecoma stans (T.stants) and compared with standard drug. Aim: To evaluate the in vitro anti inflammatory potential of different parts of T.stans ethanolic extract and to compare the anti inflammatory activity with standard drug ibuprofen. Methodology: The ethanolic extraction of T.stans's bark, leaves and floweres was done as per the standard method. Different concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 μg/ml) of the extracts were used for anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of albumin denaturation. All samples were analyzed in triplicate. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: All the three parts of the plant extract have shown to have anti inflammatory activity in a dose-dependent manner. However, the leaf and flower extracts of T.stans were found to have 100 percent anti-inflammatory pontential than standard drug ibuprofen. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present findings that T.stants possess anti-inflammatory properties which could be due to presence of active constitutents presen in the plant extracts. Hence, T.stans may serve as one of the anti inflammatory herbal durgs for Endontic infection-induced inflammation and related to dental diseases. Further studies on the identification of the active principles present in the leaf and flower extract are warranted to assertatin its potentials.