Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of Tragia cannabina for anti-inflammatory activity.

ABSTRACT

The present study investigates the anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic and chloroform extracts of Tragia cannabina. The whole plant of Tragia cannabina was extracted with methanol and chloroform by using soxhlet appara-tus. The effect of both extracts of Tragia cannabina was studied on carrageenan induced paw edema. The methanolic extract decreased the edema induced in hind paw. The percentage inhibition of paw edema was maximum with methanolic and chloroform extracts of Tragia cannabina at 300mg/kg body weight and has showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. It has been concluded that both the methanolic and chloroform extracts of Tragia cannabina showed significant anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of reference standard Ibuprofen.