Studies on the anti-inflammatory properties of Plantago erosa leaf extract in rodents

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Leaves of Plantago erosa ex Roxb are used traditionally in Northeast India in different illnesses which include wounds, cuts, bruises, insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores and snakebite, etc. Aim of the study: Plantago erosa is one of the commonly used medicinal plants in various inflammatory conditions in this region; however, due to paucity of scientific literature on its anti-inflammatory property, the present study was aimed at evaluating its anti-inflammatory activity in the leaves using in vivo models of inflammation. Materials and methods: Different models like carageenan induced paw edema in rat and mice, formalin induced paw licking in-rats and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats were used for studying the anti-inflammatory activity in methanol extract of Plantago erosa (PEME) leaves. Results: The PEME at the oral doses from 300 to 600 mg/kg showed anti-inflammatory activity in various models. The extract (PEME) reduced carageenan induced paw edema in rat and mice, inhibited the formation of granulomatous tissue in cotton pellet induced granuloma after treatment and also decreased the reaction time in both early and late phases in formalin induced paw licking in rats. Conclusion: The study evidently confirmed anti-inflammatory activity of PEME and thus supported the traditional claim. The anti-inflammatory activity could be attributed to the phytoconstituent (flavonoids, alkaloids and steroid) present in the methanol extract of the plant. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.