Experimental evaluation of analgesic property of bark skin of Saraca indica (Ashoka) and Shorea robusta (Shal).

The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of bark skin of Saraca indica (Ashoka) and Shorea robusta (Shal) were evaluated for their analgesic activity in Swiss albino rats by making use of different pain models such as, tail immersion test, tail clip method and writhing induced by 4% NaCl solution. The aqueous and alcoholic extract of Saraca indica and Shorea robusta showed significant analgesic activity at 300 mg/ Kg body weight in Swiss albino rats as compared with control rats from physical, thermal and chemical stimulus of evaluation techniques. The analgesic activity might have been attributed to the presence of alkaloids, steroids in these plants as revealed from phytochemical analysis. On the basis of these observations it was concluded that Ashoka and Shal has got analgesic property, however further experimental as well as clinical evaluations are necessary.

Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of the ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin.

Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. (Sal) is one of the most important traditional Indian medicinal plants. The resin of the plant has been used in the treatment of inflammation in folklore medicine. In the present study, ethanolic extract (70%) of S. robusta resin (SRE) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Acute inflammation was produced by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and sub-acute by cotton pellet-induced granuloma in male Wistar rats. The antipyretic activity of SRE was studied using Brewer’s yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. The rats were divided into five groups with five animals in each group. Group I was treated with vehicle i.e. 1% v/v Tween-80 and served as control. Groups II to IV were treated with three different doses of SRE (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg orally). Group V was treated with standard drug etoricoxib (10 mg/kg orally). The anti-inflammatory activity of SRE was assessed by per cent reduction in edema volume of carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and by per cent decrease in granuloma formation in cotton pellet-induced granuloma test. SRE (100 and 300 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in edema volume and decrease in granulation tissue formation in rats. Significant reduction in pyrexia was observed at all the dose levels of SRE i.e. 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg. The results of the present study demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of S. robusta resin and supported its traditional therapeutic use in painful inflammatory conditions and fever.

Wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of Shorea robusta Gaertn. f. resin.

The ethanolic extract of S. robusta resin (10 and 30 % w/w applied locally in excised and incised wounds) produced a dose-dependent acceleration in wound contraction and increased hydroxyproline content and tensile strength of wounds in rats. The results demonstrate wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of S. robusta resin.