Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing effects of aqueous root extract of Boerhavia diffusa linn in rats.

ABSTRACT

Boerhavia diffusa is a widely used plant in traditional medicine for various disease problems. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing effects of the aqueous extract of its roots was evaluated in rats. Carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model was used for antiinflammatory effect while rat red blood cells were used for membrane stabilizing property. The extract in doses of 100-400 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) inhibit carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema in a dose dependent manner. The concentration of 20-80 mg/ml of the extract also showed a dose dependent inhibition of the rat red blood cells haemolysis induced by hypotonic solution. It was concluded that the extract possesses anti-inflammatory as well as membrane stabilizing properties.